NORTH VERNON — Two people were arrested April 14 after North Vernon police made a traffic stop on Hurley Drive in the area of Brookside Drive.
North Vernon Police Officer Austin Grunden stopped a black 2005 Mercury after noting it was traveling 45 mph on Hurley Drive, over the speed limit.
Grunden made contact with a female driver, who identified herself as Priscilla
Buffington. Bonnie Warriner, 51, of North Vernon, was the vehicle owner, arrived on
scene a short time later. Warriner stated that Priscilla’s name was Crystal Pennington, police said.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined neither Priscilla or Crystal was the driver’s name. Warriner continued to lie to police during the course of the investigation. The driver was later identified as Willowdale Anderson, 42, of Columbus, police said.
It was determined Willowdale was wanted an active no-bond warrant through Bartholomew
County for failure to appear on the original offense(s) of possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 felony) and possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 felony). Willowdale admitted to smoking marijuana and methamphetamine hours before the traffic stop, police said.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a black purse that contained approximately 81 grams of suspected marijuana and approximately 16 grams of suspected heroin, police said.
Willowdale and Warriner were transported to the Jennings County Jail on the following preliminary charges:
For Anderson:
1. Dealing in a controlled substance (Level 4 felony)
2. Possession of Marijuana (Level 6 felony)
3. Driving while suspended with a prior conviction (Class C misdemeanor)
4. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor)
5. False Informing (Class B misdemeanor)
6. Visiting a common nuisance (Class B misdemeanor)
She is being held without bond at the Jennings County Jail.
For Warriner:
1. Dealing in a controlled substance (Level 4 felony)
2. Assisting a criminal (Level 6 felony)
3. Maintaining a common nuisance (Level 6 Felony)
She was being held in lieu of $20,000 bond.
Grunden was assisted by: North Vernon Police Department Sergeant Isaac Barkes,
Sgt. Doug Brown of the Jennings County Sheriffs Office, and Jennings County Dispatch.
