Woman arrested for methamphetamine possession after traffic stop

A Cloverdale woman was arrested Monday evening on drug charges following a traffic stop in eastern Putnam County.

At 6:17 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Colton Maynor stopped a 1999 Ford Explorer on eastbound U.S. 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. Tooper Ian Portteus and K-9 officer Czar also responded to the scene.

Czar gave a positive indiction of illegal drugs. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded approximately five grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the driver’s purse.

Numerous personal electronic communication devices were also scattered about the vehicle.

Laura Nicholas

The driver, 32-year-old Laura K. Nicholas, 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 felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia, as well as numerous traffic violations.

The investigation into the electronic devices is ongoing.

Assisting were ISP Master Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.