By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH,IN A routine patrol by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department led to the arrest of two Wabash County residents on drug related charges.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, Sgt. Daniel Johnson and Deputy Mat Galligan observed a passenger car abruptly turn east into an alley off of Adams Street, according to the probable cause affidavit.
“Deputy Galligan advised that he believed that the registered owner of the car was Derrick S. Winstead, (31, Urbana,) who’s driving status is habitual traffic violator,” Johnson said in the affidavit. “Based upon Deputy Galligan’s personal knowledge of the vehicle, registered owner’s driving status as well as the sudden turn into the alley as the vehicle was approaching my commission from behind, I circled around the block attempting to locate the car.”
The passenger car eventually parked in front of a residence in the 1400 block of Middle Street when the driver, who was later positively identified as Winstead, exited the vehicle and walked up to the front door while an unknown woman remained in the passenger seat, Johnson continued.
Shortly after, dispatch confirmed Winstead’s driving status and that he was the registered owner of the vehicle, according to the affidavit.
After knocking on the residence’s door with no answer, Winstead began to return to his vehicle when he noticed Johnson’s police car, the court documents continued.
“As he noticed my commission, he quickly turned back around and headed back to the house,” Johnson said. “At the time, the female exited the front passenger seat of the car and started walking toward the house where the male was.
“I then pulled my commission forward to maintain a better visual of both the male and female. As I did, I was unable to see the male and believed he had either ran on foot or had possibly entered the residence. In observing the female, who didn’t enter the residence, I believed the male had ran from the area.”
The officers then spoke to the woman, who was identified as Sandra E. Stapleton, 43, Wabash, according to the court documents.
“While speaking with Sandra, Deputy Matt Cox arrived on scene with his police K-9 Cato to assist further as we attempted to locate the driver, Derrick Winstead, as identified by Sandra,” Johnson said. “Deputy Cox deployed Cato for a free air sniff on the car and advised me that there was a positive alert on the vehicle.”
Cox and Johnson conducted a procedural vehicle inventory search before having the car removed by a tow truck, the affidavit continued.
Under the passenger seat, Johnson located numerous substances that tested positive for methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine as well as prescription medication, a syringe, and a green/brown plant-like substance that field-tested positive for THC.
Officers eventually located Winstead at his residence in the 400 block of Columbus Street.
Stapleton and Winstead were both arrested on drug-related charges.
Stapleton was charged with felony possession of a narcotic drug, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony unlawful possession of a syringe, misdemeanor possession of a schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor visiting a common nuisance.
Winstead was charged with felony habitual traffic violator, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of a narcotic drug, felony possession of cocaine, felony unlawful possession of a syringe, misdemeanor maintaining a common nuisance, misdemeanor possession of a schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and felony petition to revoke bond on habitual traffic violator charge.