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New Castle – A traffic stop to let a motorist know her car had a headlight out led to a trooper to discovering small amounts of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Crystal Methamphetamine, Suboxone and Xanax. It also led to a New Castle man being lodged on fifteen Level 5 Felony charges.

This morning around 1:30 a.m. Pendleton District Trooper Ray Otter noticed a north bound car on SR3 at SR 38 in New Castle with a headlight out.  Otter stopped the car to advise the female driver of the equipment violation. New Castle Police Department Officer Sergeant Darling was nearby and came to assist, along with New Castle K-9 Officer Pierce.

After speaking with the male passenger, William Clapp, age 44 of New Castle, Otter became suspicious.  Officer Pierce and her K-9 partner “Lex” walked around the outside of the vehicle, and the dog alerted to the presence of contraband.  Further investigation led officers to finding the illegal drugs.

Officers also located cell phones and other items packaged in bundles that led them to believe Clapp was possibly trafficking the items with inmates at one of the local penal institutions.  The investigation is ongoing, with further arrests and charges possible.

Clapp was lodged in the Henry County Jail for 10 Counts of Conspiracy to Traffic with an Inmate, Level 5 Felony, and Five Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Level 5 Felony, and Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class “A” Misdemeanor. He was lodged in the Henry County Jail.

Anyone with information about illegal drug use is encouraged to call the Pendleton Post at 1-800-527-4752, or the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law