Traffic Stop Led Troopers to OWI Arrest and a Subsequent Child Neglect Arrest

Indianapolis, IN – Two men are now under arrest after a traffic stop led troopers to find drugs in the car and a runaway juvenile, then led to the arrest of another man on child neglect charges. 

January 11th, 2019, around 12:15 a.m. Trooper Matthew Helbrecht stopped a vehicle near 82nd Street and Center Run Drive for having a headlight out. The vehicle was occupied by an adult male driver and two teenage juveniles. During the stop the driver, identified as 33 year old Lezerrick Nowling of Indianapolis, was allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine and marijuana. He was also driving without a driver’s license. Furthermore, Nowling was suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs. He was transported to Eskenazi Hospital for a blood draw, then to the Marion County Jail. He faces preliminary charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a juvenile in he car, obstruction of justice, and operating a vehicle without ever receiving a driver’s license.

During the course of the traffic stop, one of the two juveniles in the vehicle was found to be reported as a runaway. Senior Trooper Joel Flores drove the juvenile home. When he got to the residence he was not able to get anyone to answer the door. As he was walking around the house he saw, through a window, a young boy walking around in the basement. He was able to get the boy’s attention and speak to him through the window. Flores eventually determined the young boy, age 8, and his siblings ages 7, 5 & 4 were all home alone. It was determined they were supposed to be there with an adult male caretaker, who was not at home. Flores was able to contact the children’s mother, who was at work, and she made arrangements to for a family member to care for the children until she could get home. While Troopers were still at the residence, 32 year old Anthony Corbin Jr., who was supposed to be caring for the children, returned home. A loaded handgun was located in the parent’s bedroom where two children were asleep. He was arrested and preliminarily charged with four counts of Neglect of a Dependent. The Indiana Department of Child Services was contacted and responded to the residence, they have begun their own independent investigation. 

All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.