Daviess County: Yesterday at approximately 6:25 p.m. Trooper Jarrod Lents conducted a traffic stop on County Road 1200E at County Road 150N in Daviess County on a blue Dodge Ram pickup truck.  The truck had stopped in the road way twice, and then was left of center prior to the traffic stop.  The driver of the truck was Joshua A. Benton, 36 of Loogootee and while speaking to Benton, Trooper Lents detected the odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle. 

Through the investigation an active methamphetamine lab, several drugs and drug paraphernalia and a handgun were located inside the truck.

Benton was arrested and transported to the Daviess County Jail without incident.

Members of the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab team, the Daviess and Martin County Sheriff’s Departments and Loogootee Police Department all responded to assist Trooper Lents with the scene.

Arrested and Charges:
Joshua A. Benton, 36
18927 St. Joseph Road, Loogootee 47553
-Manufacturing Methamphetamine 35-48-4-1.1 Class A Felony
-Possession of Methamphetamine 35-48-4-6.1  Class C Felony
-Illegal Possession of Precursors 35-48-4-14.5 Class C Felony
-Maintaining a Common Nuisance 35-48-4-13 Class D Felony
-Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance 35-48-4-7 Class D Felony
-Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance 35-48-4-7 Class D Felony
-Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance 35-48-4-7 Class D Felony
-Illegal Possession of a Legend Drug 16-42-19-13 Class Felony
-Illegal Possession of a Syringe 16-42-19-18 Class D Felony
-Possession of Paraphernalia 35-48-4-8.3 Class B Misdemeanor
-Possession of Marijuana 35-48-4-11 Class A Misdemeanor
-Illegal Possession of a Handgun 35-47-2-1 Class A Misdemeanor

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.