BEDFORD- Officer Thomas Porter with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was on patrol on July 19 when he noticed a vehicle being driven by someone he believed to have a suspended driver’s license in the area of State Roads 450 and 158 in Bedford. Once through the light on State Road 158, Officer Porter activated his emergency lights to signal the vehicle to pull over.
After a backup officer arrived, the two occupants were ordered out of the vehicle. The passenger was identified as Anthony Statzer II, 23, Columbus. After the officers patted them down, the two were asked if there were any drugs or guns in the vehicle. The driver stated there were two guns and a small amount of marijuana in the car. The pistols were located and secured, one in the driver-side door pocket and the other beside the seat belt buckle. There was no marijuana located in the vehicle.
The officers then noticed a fast motion by Statzer, who was standing near the rear passenger side of the Dodge truck. When the officers investigated, they found that Statzer had dropped a baggie containing marijuana on the ground.
Statzer was placed in handcuffs and read his rights. He was arrested on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.
