Putnam County traffic stop yields drug arrest
A routine traffic stop five miles south of Greencastle Monday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a Johnson County man on drug-related charges, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported.
The incident began as Indiana State Police Senior Trooper DuJuan McFadden stopped a 2004 Kia passenger car on U.S. 231, just south of U.S. 40 in Putnam County at 12:30 p.m.
The car was eastbound on U.S. 40 and turned right onto U.S. 231 to proceed south. The turn was made in violation of the Indiana "No turn on red" statute, McFadden noted, since there was sign posted to prohibit such a right turn.
The vehicle, driven by Jeffrey E. Barnard, 51, Greenwood, was stopped just south of U.S. 40. As Trooper McFadden was discussing the stop with the driver, he noticed a suspected smell of burnt marijuana coming from inside the car.
A subsequent search of the car yielded a small bag containing approximately three grams of suspected marijuana.
Barnard was taken into custody and initially transported to the Putnam County Hospital for a blood test on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. That portion of the investigation is ongoing as the results of the test are pending.
The suspect was then incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail for possession of marijuana (under 30 grams), a Class A misdemeanor. His bond was set at $800 cash or $5,000 surety bond. He was also cited for disregarding a traffic control device (no-turn-on-red sign).