LAWRENCE CO. – A Bedford man was arrested on felony and misdemeanor drug charges Wednesday evening after a traffic stop on State Road 37.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Indiana State Police Trooper Jesse Crane, the incident occurred at approximately 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30th. Trooper Crane was southbound on State Road 37 near the Riverview Addition Road turn-off when he observed a blue Mitsubishi car. The driver, identified as Dennis Hale, 62, of Bedford, reportedly avoided eye contact while the female passenger stared at the trooper.
A check of the vehicle’s license plate revealed it belonged to a different vehicle, prompting Trooper Crane to initiate a traffic stop. Hale allegedly told the trooper he had no documentation for the car and that his driver’s license was suspended.
During the interaction with Hale, Trooper Crane reported observing a clear glass smoking device with burnt residue in plain view in a bag in the backseat.
Both Hale and his female passenger were asked to exit the vehicle, and Trooper Crane conducted a pat-down search of Hale. During the search, the trooper allegedly felt another smoking device in Hale’s pocket, which turned out to be a multicolored glass pipe with burnt residue.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an empty 24/7 cigarette cardboard container. Inside, officers found a folded piece of cardboard from the pack containing a crystal substance, which Trooper Crane identified as a controlled substance based on his training and experience.
At this point, Hale was handcuffed, and Trooper Crane read them their Miranda Rights. Hale reportedly claimed the crystal substance belonged to a friend who had been in the car earlier. However, when confronted with the fact that the substance was found in a 24/7 cigarette pack, the same brand that Hale said he smoked, Hale allegedly admitted the methamphetamine was his. He initially denied ownership of the glass smoking device seen in plain view, attributing it to his friend. However, he later allegedly admitted again that the methamphetamine belonged to him and that he knew it was in the vehicle.
A further search of Hale’s wallet revealed a small plastic bag containing crystal meth residue.
Dennis Hale was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail on charges of possession of meth, a Level 6 felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
An affidavit of probable cause outlines the investigating officer’s belief that a crime has been committed. Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
