Staff Reports
A traffic stop in the northern part of Bartholomew County resulted in the arrest of two car passengers on drug- related charges.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Lanning initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with improper taillights near the intersection of County Road West County Road 550N and U.S. 31 North at about 12:07 a.m. Saturday.
He determined that the driver, Cody Harden, 33, of Columbus, had a driving status of suspended-prior with indefinite re-eligibility. Lanning also learned that passenger Derek Noel, 28, of Indianapolis, was wanted on warrants out of Marion and Morgan counties, according to a news release.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Kris Weisner and K-9 Bolt arrived and assisted with a search of Noel, and found a small burnt “roach” containing marijuana, the news release said.
Bolt alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
A search led to the discovery of six syringes, two belonging to Noel and four belonging to an additional passenger, Heather Harden, 30, of Columbus. Two items of paraphernalia located also belonged to Heather Harden, the news release said.
Cody Harden was cited for driving while suspended with a prior and released from the scene. Heather Harden and Noel were transported to the Bartholomew Jail.
Noel was arrested on the two warrants and preliminary charges of possession of a syringe and possession of marijuana. He is being held in the jail without bond because of the warrants, jail officials said.
Heather Harden was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of syringe and possession of paraphernalia. She is being held in the jail in lieu of $5,755 bond, jail officials said.
Deputy Teancum Clark also assisted.
