Traffic stop on 46 West results in charges
A Bedford man was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor after he was stopped on State Road 46 West.
Nashville Patrolman Billy Bryant conducted a traffic stop on Sept. 19 after seeing a vehicle driving left of center.
Bryant talked with the driver, Melvin Stewart, 44, of Bedford, who said he was having issues with his vehicle.
Bryant asked Stewart if he could conduct a search, to which he complied. Deputy Joshua Stargell reported finding a white crystal substance he suspected to be methamphetamine, as well as syringes and pills in the vehicle.
Stewart was cited and released from the scene. On Oct. 9, he was charged with four Level 6 felonies for possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, unlawful possession or use of a legend drug and counterfeiting. He was also charged with a Class A misdemeanor for driving while suspended.
Police arrest intoxicated man for battery
A 32-year-old Hobart man was arrested on Oct. 12 after police say he battered a woman while visiting Nashville.
Just before 6:30 p.m., police were dispatched to Hard Truth Hills for a report of public intoxication. Officers were told that the man and woman had left the property.
An off-duty police officer told officers the direction of their travel and that a domestic incident had occurred. He said that the woman would have marks on her neck, the probable cause affidavit by Nashville Patrolman Billy Bryant states.
As Bryant and Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Stargell entered the restaurant to search for the couple, the manager told them that an employee had taken them to their rental cabin on Jackson Branch Ridge Road.
While officers were on the way to the home, the off-duty officer called Bryant and said he witnessed the man in the parking lot — later identified as Victor Oros — grab the victim and throw her into the passenger seat when she tried to exit the vehicle. As the off-duty officer approached the vehicle, he reported hearing the woman say she did not want to go with Oros and he grabbed her in a headlock as he pulled her to the rear of the vehicle, the affidavit states. The off-duty officer was able to separate them.
Police talked to the woman at the rental cabin. She said they had completed two tours at Hard Truth Hills and had consumed a lot of alcohol. She said they were both too intoxicated to drive, which led to the parking lot argument. She said she was trying to discourage Oros from driving. As they were exiting the property, she said they were offered a ride home from an employee.
Oros came outside, and as Bryant tried to get photos of the injuries on the victim’s neck, he tried to put his arm around her to interfere with the photo being taken, the affidavit states.
As the victim was filling out her written statement, Oros continued to interfere, asking to see the statement, threatening to rip it up and grabbing a pen from her hand, according to the affidavit. While Bryant was looking over the statement, Oros continued to try and get it out of his hands twice. When Stargell and Bryant grabbed Oros’ arms, he tried to pull away. Officers were eventually able to handcuff him, the report said.
A preliminary breath test administered at the scene showed Oros’ blood-alcohol level at 0.29, nearly three times the legal limit. He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to get medical clearance before being booked into the jail.
On Oct. 13, Oros was charged with domestic battery and resisting law enforcement, both Class A misdemeanors.
Police: Driver didn’t have license
A 58-year-old Martinsville woman was arrested in Nashville on Oct. 20 after police reported she was driving as a habitual traffic violator and had marijuana in the car.
Cathy Richardson was driving south on Van Buren Street when she pulled out of the Speedway gas station in front of Nashville Police Chief Ben Seastrom, according to a probable cause affidavit. Seastrom reported seeing Richardson make several erratic movements while looking behind her like she was trying to hide something. The vehicle then turned immediately into the Brown County Inn parking lot, the affidavit states.
Seastrom ran her license plate and found she was a habitual traffic violator without a driver’s license. He conducted a stop in the parking lot. When he asked Richardson for her driver’s license, she handed him her identification card. She admitted to being an habitual traffic violator, the report said.
While speaking with her, Seastrom reported smelling alcohol and marijuana. She gave him a frosty plastic mug that was in her passenger floorboard that had beer inside.
A portable breath test showed Richardson’s blood alcohol level at 0.19, twice the legal limit, according to the affidavit.
She told the officers there was marijuana in the ashtray and the officers reported finding two marijuana cigarettes there. She was arrested and taken to the Brown County jail.
Richardson was charged with operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, a Level 5 felony, and possession of marijuana, Class B misdemeanor.
Felony filed for failing to report to jail
An Arizona man faces a Level 6 felony after he reportedly failed to serve time at the Brown County jail.
Jail Commander Kenneth Moore received an email from Child Support Prosecutor Brent Cullers on Sept. 4 notifying him that Michael Lusinger, 44, of Monticello, Arizona, had not paid $1,000 in child support and was supposed to go to jail for not doing so, according to a probable cause affidavit.
From Sept. 4 to 8, Lusinger had not turned himself in. Due to his failure to comply with the court order, Capt. Michael Moore requested a warrant for Lusinger for failure to return to lawful detention, a Level 6 felony. Lusinger was formally charged on Sept. 25.
