Putnam County—This evening at 6:17, Indiana State Police Trooper Colton Maynor stopped a blue 1999 Ford Explorer on eastbound US 40 near State Road 75 for expired registration and failure to signal a turn.
During the course of the traffic stop, several indicators of possible criminal activity were noticed. Close by, was Trooper Ian Portteus and his K-9 “Czar”. A positive indication of illegal drugs was given by “Czar” and a subsequent search of the vehicle yielded approximately five grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the driver’s purse and numerous personal electronic communication devices scattered about the vehicle.
The driver, 32-year-old Laura K. Nicholas, of Cloverdale, IN. was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail. She was also found to not have a valid driver’s license. Nicholas was preliminarily charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (felony) and Possession of Paraphernalia (misdemeanor), as well as numerous traffic violations.
The investigation into the electronic devices is ongoing.
Assisting were ISP Master Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden, Trooper Ian Portteus and K-9 “Czar”, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
