A traffic stop ended with two Starke County drug related arrests.
Starke County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Toto Road and 350 East. The two occupants of the vehicle were identified as Charles Barnett and Stephan Buckingham.
The sheriff's office report states that due to the subject's nervous behaviors, both individuals were requested to exit the vehicle. A pat down was performed. and deputies located a syringe that Buckingham had in his possession. Sitting on the passenger side floor of the vehicle, deputies observed an additional syringe in plain view. Deputies also located a THC vape that Barnett had in his possession.
A search of the vehicle was conducted. Deputies located numerous illegal drug paraphernalia articles, including 18 syringes and a scale. Both men were taken into custody and transported to the Starke County Justice Center.
While at the Justice Center, it was observed that Buckingham had placed a large bag near his groin area. This was detected by the body scanner at the Starke County Jail.
One substance inside the bag was a white crystal-like substance. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and had a total weight of 30.31 grams. The other substance inside the bag was gray and rock-like. It field tested positive for heroin and had a total weight of 1.81 grams.
Buckingham is held on preliminary charges of:
Dealing methamphetamine, level 2 felony
Possession of methamphetamine, level 3 felony
Possession of a narcotic drug, level 6 felony
Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony
Possession of paraphernalia, A misdemeanor
Barnett is held on the preliminary charges of:
Dealing methamphetamine, Level 2 felony
Possession of methamphetamine, level 3 felony
Possession of a narcotic drug, level 6 felony
Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony
Possession of paraphernalia, A misdemeanor
Possession of marijuana, B misdemeanor
