BEDFORD — A local man is behind bars after a Valentine’s Day traffic stop escalated into a series of drug-related charges and a search warrant for his blood.
Travis L. Collins, 48, was arrested early Saturday morning following a high-speed encounter with Bedford Police
At approximately 3:08 a.m. on February 14, 2026, Officer Clay Blackburn observed a gray Chevrolet Trax speeding northbound on H Street. According to the probable cause affidavit, the vehicle disregarded a stop sign at 18th Street and came to an abrupt, mid-intersection halt before continuing on.
During the subsequent stop at 17th and H Streets, Officer Blackburn noted that Collins spoke in a “low, slow, and raspy voice.” While standing outside the vehicle, Collins appeared to “nod off” several times.
Officer Haluda arrived to assist and conducted several standardized field sobriety tests. The results indicated significant impairment.
Collins ultimately refused to submit to a chemical test, prompting officers to obtain a search warrant from Lawrence County Judge Anah Hewetson-Gouty. His blood was drawn at IU Health Bedford at 5:05 a.m. and sent to the Indiana State Police Laboratory for analysis.
The investigation took a turn once Collins arrived at the Lawrence County Jail for processing. During a “dress-out” procedure, jail officers reportedly discovered a rubber container concealed inside Collins’ underwear.
The container held plastic baggies with a crystal-like residue. According to the affidavit, more of the substance fell from Collins’ person onto the floor during the search. Field tests of the material yielded positive results for both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Suspicion of further concealment arose when a jail body scan suggested an object was hidden inside Collins’ rectum. Collins denied the presence of any contraband. However, upon being moved back to a patrol vehicle for a secondary medical evaluation, officers discovered more crystal-like substances scattered across the rear seat where he had been sitting.
After a second medical clearance at the hospital, no further items were located, and Collins was remanded back to the jail.
Based on the evidence collected, Collins faces a litany of charges including possession of meth, possession of a narcotic drug (Fentanyl), obstruction of justice, OWI endangerment, OWI, OWI refusal, OWI per SE (pending blood results).
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
