Full Notification

On August 15, 2024, at 4:39 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a suspicious vehicle on Interstate 69 near the 34 mile marker.  The caller reported that it appeared that a car was in a field on the east side of the interstate.  Upon arriving in the area Deputies U.B. Smith and Michael Bates located the vehicle, but was parked in the 9100 block of East County Road 125 South near Oakland City.  At that point Deputies Smith and Bates went to the vehicle to conduct a welfare check.  Upon approaching the Black and Green 1999 Honda Civic they identified the driver as 47 year old Benjamin Harper of Elberfeld.  While speaking with Mr. Harper Deputy Smith observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.  At that point Deputy Bates placed Mr. Harper into custody and began a roadside investigation.  Once the investigation was completed Deputy Bates transported Mr. Harper to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Methamphetamines.   
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.