Martin County (Shoals): A Wednesday afternoon traffic stop resulted in two men spending the rest of the day behind bars on multiple charges.
At 3:15 P.M., Senior Trooper Jarrod Lents observed a green 1997 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck disregard a stop sign on Weisbach Road at Sherfick School Road near Shoals. Trooper Lents pulled the truck over and began speaking with the two occupants. Lents learned that the driver, 39 year old Mitchell F. Newton of Dubois, was driving with a suspended driver’s license through Indiana, and had a prior conviction for the same offense. The passenger, Travis W. Stine, 39, French Lick, initially gave Trooper Lents a false name and information in an attempt to not be identified. Lents later learned and confirmed his correct identification, as well as the fact that he was wanted through Crawford County on a felony theft charge.
During the stop, Lents asked for the assistance of Sheriff Travis Roush and Major Andy Burkhardt of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department. Burkhardt conducted an open-air search with his K9 partner Asher, who positively indicated the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle, locating marijuana, a metal smoking pipe, and two syringes. Officers later learned the narcotics and paraphernalia belonged to Stine.
Both Newton and Stine were placed into custody and lodged, without incident, in the Martin County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
Mitchell F. Newton, 39
Dubois, IN
- Driving While Suspended with a Prior Conviction, Class A Misdemeanor
Travis W. Stine, 39
French Lick, IN
- Illegal Possession of a Syringe, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- False Informing, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
*Attached photographs are of Newton and Stine
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HENSLEY
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
