Traffic stop results in driver being arrested on drug-related charges

A local man was arrested on drug-related charges after he was spotted driving a vehicle without a license plate.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Pendleton stopped the vehicle in the 9600 block of South County Road 100W at 12:32 p.m. Saturday, deputies said.

The driver, identified as Michael Tanner, 31, 2226 N. Cherry St., told the deputy he had recently purchased the vehicle. However, deputies learned Tanner was driving the vehicle while having a suspended license, deputies said. Tanner also told deputies he had drug-related paraphernalia on his person.

Deputy Teancum Clark and Pendleton located the paraphernalia and a baggie containing heroin in Tanner’s possession, deputies said.

In addition to being cited for driving while suspended with a prior conviction, Tanner was also arrested on preliminary charges of possession of heroin and possession of paraphernalia, deputies said.

He is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $80,000 bond, jail officials said.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.