St. Joseph County – The Indiana State Police arrested an Elkhart man Sunday night on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after he was stopped for driving while suspended.
Trooper Ben Werner stopped 30-year-old, Tavario G. Morris, of Elkhart on McKinley Ave. near Capital Ave. in Mishawaka. While talking to Morris through the driver’s side window about his suspended driver’s license, Werner noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
With the assistance of a St. Joseph County deputy, Werner searched Morris’ 2003 Infinity SUV and located a glass jar that contained marijuana and a loaded 9mm hand gun.
A records check of Tavario Morris showed that he had a previous robbery conviction in 2005 in Elkhart County. Morris was arrested at the scene by Werner and taken to the St. Joseph County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
While at the jail staff located suspected crack cocaine that Morris attempted to dispose of prior to being searched. Subsequently Morris was also charged with felony possession of cocaine.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
-30-
SMITH
