KNOX – According to a press release from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, November 3, at approximately 10:28 PM, a Starke County Deputy was on routine patrol in the Grovertown area when he received an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert through FLOCK.
A gray colored 2004 Harley-Davidson was westbound on US 30. The registered owner’s driving status was suspended.
The deputy soon observed the vehicle traveling westbound and confirmed the registered owner of the vehicle, a white male identified as Nicholas Hagen (38) of Knox, was suspended. The deputy observed a male occupant operating the motorcycle as it turned into the Grovertown Plaza. The deputy initiated a traffic stop.
The deputy spoke with the occupant who confirmed he was Mr. Hagen. The deputy observed that Mr. Hagen’s pupils appeared to be constricted. Mr. Hagen gave vague responses to general itinerary questions.
Mr. Hagen consented to a search of his backpack. The deputy located five (5) glass smoking devices. Due to the type of smoking devices the deputy suspected the use of methamphetamine.
Mr. Hagen confirmed he smoked methamphetamine earlier in the morning. Mr. Hagen admitted to having contraband on his person and instructed the deputy to retrieve it from his pants pocket.
The deputy discovered a clear plastic bag with approximately 51.93 grams of suspected methamphetamine. There was also a blue colored grinder. Inside the grinder was the following: approximately 5.85 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two bags containing approximately 4.05 grams of suspected fentanyl, paraphernalia, and another controlled substance.
The deputy also located suspected THC gummies and approximately 2.34 grams of suspected marijuana.
Follow up investigation conducted by the Starke County Detective Bureau.
Mr. Hagen was taken into custody and preliminarily charged with the following:
Dealing in Methamphetamine a Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine a Level 3 Felony
Dealing in a Narcotic Drug a Level 5 Felony
Possession of a Narcotic Drug a Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Schedule II, III, IV Controlled Substance A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana a B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia a C Misdemeanor
As a reminder, all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Formal charging to be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor.
