Jackson County: Yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. two Seymour men were arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on I-65.  According to Trooper Chris Lockman, he was patrolling I-65 in Jackson County when he made a traffic stop of a 1990 Chevrolet passenger car on northbound I-65 near the Jackson-Bartholomew County line for a window tint violation. 

During the course of the traffic stop he became suspicious of the occupants of the vehicle.   Tpr. Bryce Harris responded to the scene to back up Tpr. Lockman.  Tpr. Lockman determined the driver, 24 year old Brandon Ray Roberts had an active warrant for his arrest out of Jackson County for Failure to Appear, Possession of an Altered Handgun, and Obstruction of Justice.  Once Roberts was placed under arrest Tpr. Lockman searched him and discovered two bags of Methamphetamine on his person.  In addition to the charges listed in the warrant, Tpr. Lockman also charged Roberts with Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony.

The other two occupants of the vehicle were also searched and the front seat passenger, 37 year old Robert Aaron Brown was found to be in possession of various pills which were discovered to be controlled substances for which he had no prescription. He was placed under arrest for Possession of Controlled Substance, Class D Felony.  The other occupant of the vehicle, a 26 year old female was not found to be in violation of any criminal laws and was released.

Often times troopers will stop vehicles for very minor violations and the drivers who are frustrated about the stop will make comments such as, “Why don’t you go out and arrest ‘real’ criminals instead of picking on innocent people like me?”  This incident is just an example of how a traffic stop for a very minor traffic violation often leads to more serious criminal activity.

Persons arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.