LAWRENCE CO.– A routine traffic stop on Saturday, September 7, led to the arrest of two individuals on multiple charges, including drug possession and operating a vehicle while under the influence.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Andrew D. Tillett of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the incident began when he observed a green 2002 Chevy Silverado traveling on State Road 54 West. After running the vehicle’s registration, Officer Tillett discovered the driver, Brent A. Covey, 29, of Bedford, did not have a valid Indiana driver’s license. Additionally, Covey failed to signal while changing lanes, prompting Officer Tillett to initiate a traffic stop on State Road 37.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Tillett noted Covey’s erratic movements and slurred speech, suspecting him to be under the influence of a stimulant. Covey’s passenger, Kelly C. Perry, 28, of Bedford, was also in the vehicle.
A subsequent investigation involved Officer Kenton Carter and his canine, which alerted him to drugs in the vehicle. During a search, officers discovered a red bag containing several items, including smoking devices and crystal methamphetamine.
Covey consented to an oral fluid test using the department’s Sotoxa machine, which detected the presence of methamphetamine and cannabis in his system. Covey admitted to smoking methamphetamine a day prior, though he denied ownership of the drugs and paraphernalia found in the vehicle. Perry later confessed that the items belonged to both her and Covey.
Both individuals were arrested. Covey was charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) under the influence of a controlled substance, a Class C misdemeanor, as well as possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Perry faced similar charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.
