North Vernon man arrested on drug charges

NORTH VERNON — A North Vernon man was arrested after police said they discovered drugs in his car during a traffic stop.

John F. Dearborn, 46, 306 Beech Road, is in Jennings County Jail on four preliminary felony charges:

  • Dealing in methamphetamine, Level 5
  • Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6
  • Possession of a syringe, Level 6
  • Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6

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He’s also facing misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana, trafficking with an inmate and possession of paraphernalia.

At the request of Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding, jail officials in Vernon agreed to hold Dearborn for at least three days before being allowed to post his $10,055 cash bond, court records state.

Shortly before midnight Sunday, Dearborn’s red 1993 Pontiac was pulled over on Country Manor Road after Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Heilers saw the car cross left of center, according to a Jennings County Sheriff’s Department news release.

After the deputy saw drug-related paraphernalia in plain view inside Dearborn’s car, a search also turned up nine grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, a digital scale and two syringes, the sheriff’s department said.

When Dearborn — who was driving with a suspended license — was searched, officers also found a substantial amount of cash that investigators believe was used in connection in drug dealing, the sheriff’s department said.