PERU – Sunday at approximately 5:30 p.m., a traffic stop by Indiana State Police Trooper Andrew Baldwin led to the arrest of Michael Whitfield, 49, of Plymouth.
Whitfield was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face criminal charges for possession of methamphetamine, dealing methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle while having a suspended license.
Baldwin initiated a traffic stop on a Chrysler 200 passenger car, for a traffic violation, on Mexico Road near U.S 31. While Baldwin was speaking to the driver of the Chrysler, identified as Whitfield, he noticed indicators of possible criminal activity.
Baldwin then retrieved his narcotics-detecting police dog, Mack, to conduct a free-air sniff around the Chrysler. Mack gave a positive alert for the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. During a subsequent search, officers found marijuana, three cell phones, and drug paraphernalia. Officers also purportedly found a small plastic bag containing approximately 60 grams of suspected meth. The alleged meth was found on the ground outside of the front passenger door of the Chrysler. Evidence indicates that Whitfield allegedly threw the illegal narcotic out of the car.
Baldwin was assisted by Trooper Kegan Kern.
