Peru – Sunday morning, a traffic stop by Indiana State Police Sergeant T.J. Zeiser led to the arrests of Peter Buffington, 22, Peru, IN, and a 17-year-old Peru, IN girl. Buffington was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face felony charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of chemical precursors, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 17-year-old girl was transported to a juvenile holding facility in Lafayette, IN. She faces felony charges for possession of chemical precursors with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.
Sunday at approximately 3:00 a.m., Zeiser initiated a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger car which was allegedly traveling westbound on Main Street, near Fremont Street (Peru), at 34 miles per hour in a posted 25 miles per hour zone. While speaking with the Saturn’s driver, the 17-year-old female, Zeiser smelled a chemical odor emitting from the vehicle. Sergeant Zeiser served nine years on the Indiana State Police Clandestine Laboratory Team. He recognized the chemical odor as being associated with the production of methamphetamine.
Zeiser had the 17-year-old girl and Buffington, who was a passenger in the car, exit the Saturn. During a subsequent search of the Saturn, officers allegedly found methamphetamine along with chemicals and items associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that prior to the traffic stop; the pair had allegedly been at a Miami County campground were they tried to make methamphetamine inside of a camper. They apparently could not get the formula right, so they packed up and left the campground.
Sergeant Zeiser was assisted during the traffic stop by Trooper Wendell Beachy, Trooper Adam Duffitt, and Peru Police Officer Jason Ballard.
Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with any information about the possession, distribution, or selling of illegal narcotics. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Drug and Gang Hotline at 1-800-453-4756.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
