A Hamlet traffic stop led to a pair of arrests, after officers say they found drugs and a loaded handgun. It happened just after 1:30 Sunday morning at U.S. 30 and County Road 600 East, according to a probable cause affidavit provided by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Hamlet Police say they arrested the passenger, Michelle Lynn Kinder, on what was apparently her 43rd birthday, after they found “a large amount of hard rock and powdered like substance” in a bag inside her purse. Other substances and a fully-loaded pistol were then allegedly found in the SUV.
Officers say a field test determined that the suspected drugs included about 70 grams of cocaine, seven grams of meth, four grams of marijuana, 17 Klonopin pills, and one Xanax pill. There were also allegedly two clear glass pipes, a torch, and $1,383 in cash. The affidavit says Kinder had a prior conviction for dealing in cocaine, making her a serious violent felon.
She’s charged with a Level 3 felony count of possession of cocaine, a Level 4 felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 6 felony count of possession of methamphetamine, and misdemeanor counts for possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.
The probable cause affidavit says the driver of the SUV, Christopher Jordan, was also taken to the Starke County Jail. Police say his driving privileges had previously been suspended and they found what Jordan admitted was a meth pipe in his pocket.
