Vigo County - Troopers from the Putnamville Post conducted a DUI checkpoint on Friday evening March 20th from 10:00PM until 12:00AM. The checkpoint was just west of the Wabash River on National Ave. near Schley Place. During the two hour checkpoint, one vehicle was found with a methamphetamine lab and the driver and passengers were arrested. The checkpoint was in conjunction with the statewide Operation Pull Over blitz which began on March 19 and concludes on March 22.
During the checkpoint, Troopers David Cox Jr. encountered a blue 2007 Chevrolet Passenger car and the driver immediately advised he was a suspended driver. During the investigation Troopers Charles Murphy, Yan Dravigne along with Trooper Cox began to see there was other criminal activity afoot. Other passengers were found to have hypodermic needles and other Precursors used to manufacture Methamphetamine. Further investigation allegedly found a “ready to cook” meth lab and other precursors located in the vehicle
ARRESTED:
• Bryan Rudisel, age 24, of Terre Haute, IN (Driver)
• Graham Smith, age 24, of Terre Haute, IN (Passenger)
• Dana Stapp Jr. (Male), age 24, of Terre Haute, IN (Passenger)
• Brooke Jeffries (Female), age 26, of Terre Haute, IN (Passenger)
All four were incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail. Each suspect was preliminarily charged with the following: Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Precursors w/intent to manufacture, and other offenses associated with Methamphetamine and the production of it. ISP Clan Lab Team from Putnamville including Troopers Shilo Raulston, John Cumbie and Mike Wood were responsible for dismantling and clean up of the scene.
In addition to the meth lab arrests, Troopers at the checkpoint arrested three for DUI, one for possession of marijuana and one for driving as a habitual traffic violator. A total of 152 vehicles passed through the checkpoint with nine troopers assigned.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Watts
