Early-morning ride lands five in county jail
CLOVERDALE -- Suspicious early-morning activity landed four Morgan County residents in the Putnam County Jail Wednesday. Each one now faces felony charges in Putnam Circuit Court.
At approximately 4:20 a.m., Putnam County Sheriff's deputies received a call of suspicious activity behind Motel 6 in Cloverdale. The vehicle was described as an older model Buick that kept driving around the parking lot with its lights out.
Deputies Philip Troyer and T.J. Smith found the car between a box truck and a Dodge Ram pulling a camper.
When the deputies approached the vehicle, the occupants said they were trying to find a place to stay for the night.
The driver was identified as Anthony Wampner, 33, Mooresville. Three passengers were also identified as Daylin A. Jasper, 38, Morgantown; Kelsey Walker, 22, Martinsville; and Dulcie Hart, 30, Martinsville.
The last passenger initially gave a name for which dispatch could find no record. He eventually said, "I'm going to go anyway so I might as well give you my real name," at which time he identified himself as Gary L. Johnston, 45, Martinsville.
The check with dispatch showed that Johnston and Hart were both wanted on warrants out of Morgan County.
Officers also smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. A check of the car revealed glass pipes sticking out of a bag on the dash, tools commonly used in burglaries, knives in the possession of Johnston and Jasper and a bag containing marijuana in Johnston's pocket.
Officers also found two digital scales, rolling papers, a bag containing a crystal substance later found to be methamphetamine, 10 syringes, a spoon and small scissors.
An antique .45 caliber handgun was found in the trunk, which Johnston voluntarily said was his. He also said the tools in the car were his and that he planned to cut the catalytic converter off of the Dodge truck for the platinum inside.
All five were transported to the jail and booked in Wednesday morning, with charges filed in Putnam Circuit Court on Thursday. Each subject faces between one and five total charges.
Johnston is charged with three Class D felonies, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe and possession of marijuana; and two Class A misdemeanors, carrying a handgun without a license and false informing.
Jasper and Wampner each face Class D felony possession of methamphetamine and Class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
Hart is charged with Class D felony unlawful possession of a syringe and Class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
Hart faces a single Class D felony, possession of methamphetamine.
No further information on court dates is available at this time.