Vigo County—This afternoon around 1:28, Indiana State Police Trooper Ted Robertson was southbound on US 41 near Davis Avenue, when spotted a southbound 2002 Chevrolet Impala driving erratically. The vehicle was also traveling 40 miles-per-hour in a 30 mph zone.
The vehicle was stopped on US 41 near McCallister Drive and the interior of the vehicle smelled of what appeared to be marijuana. During further investigation, Trooper Robertson found the driver to be unsteady on his feet, nervous, and appeared to kick something underneath the vehicle.
A search underneath the suspect’s vehicle found what appeared to be approximately 18 grams of suspected marijuana in a plastic bag. Further search of the vehicle netted less than three grams of suspected marijuana in the vehicle’s console area, along with Schedule IV prescription pills, in which the driver had no prescription.
A standard field sobriety test was conducted and the driver failed. The passenger was also found to be wanted in Vigo County for failure to appear on conversion charge. The driver was taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for a blood test and tested positive for marijuana.
Arrested Driver: Bradley T.J. Chowning, age 24, Terre Haute, IN.
Charges: Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance (felony)
Operating While Intoxicated (misdemeanor)
Possession of Marijuana (misdemeanor)
Arrested Passenger: Richard T. Gibbs, age 32, of Terre Haute, IN.
Charge: Wanted on Vigo County warrant for Failure to Appear on Criminal Conversion Charge (misdemeanor)
Chowning and Gibbs were taken to the Vigo County Jail.
Assisting Trooper Ted Robertson were Troopers Brent Robinson and Derek Baker.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
-30-
WATTS
