Two people were arrested Friday, January 5 after a traffic stop was conducted by officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office near the intersection of Toto Road and 350 E. in Knox.
Police say due to the nervous behaviors of the two occupants in the vehicle, they were requested to exit the vehicle where they were searched. They reportedly found Stephan Buckingham in possession of a syringe, and a THC vape in the possession of Charles Barnett. A search of the vehicle was also conducted where illegal drug paraphernalia items were found, along with 18 syringes and a scale, according to the report.
Barnett and Buckingham were taken to the Starke County Justice Center where police say it was observed that Buckingham had placed a large bag near his groin area. This was detected by the body scanner at the Starke County Jail. One substance inside the bag was a white crystal-like substance. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and had a total weight of 30.31 grams, according to the report. The other substance inside the bag was gray and rock-like. Police say the substance field tested positive for heroin and had a total weight of 1.81 grams.
Buckingham was arrested on preliminary felony charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, and possession of a syringe, and a preliminary misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia.
Barnett is held on the preliminary felony charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, and possession of a syringe, along with preliminary misdemeanor charges of possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
Formal charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
