Traffic stop leads to drug arrests

NORTH VERNON — Four Butlerville residents were arrested on drug-related charges after a traffic stop on State Road 3.

A Jennings County sheriff’s deputy saw a black Chevrolet Blazer turn south onto State Road 3 and signal to turn into a parking lot, and the deputy recognized the driver as Kurtis M. Turner, 35, Butlerville, said Lt. Mike Mowery, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department spokesman. The traffic stop happened at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

After dispatchers confirmed Kurtis M. Turner was not a licensed driver, the deputy stopped the vehicle, Mowery said.

Deputies called for a K-9 search and the dog alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle, Mowery said.

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During a search, deputies found 8 grams of methamphetamine along with a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle, Mowery said.

Deputies then obtained a search warrant for a home on Private Road 675N in Muscatatuck Caverns in Columbia Township based on the vehicle search and located three individuals, David E. Turner, 37, Judy K. Nichols, 44, and Sheryl L. Staublin, 55, all of Butlerville, Mowery said.

During a search of the home, deputies found 3 ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of about $8,500 along with drug-related paraphernalia, Mowery said. Deputies also seized more than $50,000 in cash and a .22-caliber AR-15 rifle and a 30-30 caliber lever-action rifle, Mowery said.

Kurtis M. Turner was arrested on charges of:

  • Felony dealing in methamphetamine
  • Felony possession of methamphetamine
  • Felony visiting or maintaining a common nuisance
  • Misdemeanor driving without ever receiving a license

David E. Turner was arrested on charges of:

  • Felony possession of methamphetamine
  • Felony legend drug act violation
  • Felony visiting or maintaining a common nuisance
  • Misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.

Nichols was arrested on charges of:

  • Felony dealing in methamphetamine
  • Felony possession of methamphetamine
  • Felony visiting or maintaining a common nuisance
  • Misdemeanor possession of marijuana
  • Misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia

Staublin was arrested on a charge of felony visiting or maintaining a common nuisance, Mowery said. She was released from the Jennings County Jail on $1,055 cash bond, jail officials said.

Kurtis M. Turner is being held at the Jennings County Jail in lieu of $3,055 cash bond, jail officials said. David E. Turner is being held at the jail in lieu of $2,055 cash bond, jail officials said. Nichols was released on $10,000 cash bond from the jail.