Bedford man arrested on drug charges following traffic stop

LAWRENCE CO. – A Bedford man is facing multiple drug-related charges following a traffic stop early Sunday morning, according to an affidavit for probable cause filed by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.

Chase Curtis, 33, of Bedford, was arrested on Sunday, March 23, and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of a syringe.

According to the affidavit, Deputy Augustus Hogan initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by Curtis at approximately 2:34 a.m. on Boyd Lane near the intersection of Limestone Run. The stop was conducted due to an inoperable plate light.

Deputy Hogan reported that Curtis appeared unusually nervous during the stop, visibly shaking his hands. This observation led Deputy Hogan to suspect possible criminal activity. Deputy Josh Rhoades and his K9 partner were requested to the scene.

While Deputy Rhoades conducted an “exterior free air sniff” of the vehicle, Deputy Hogan asked Curtis to step out and requested to perform a pat-down, to which Curtis consented. During the pat-down, Curtis allegedly informed Deputy Hogan that he had a syringe and a cut straw behind the seat.

Deputy Rhoades’ K9 alerted on the driver’s side door, prompting a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies located a black fabric pouch containing two capped syringes, a metal spoon, and a cut plastic straw with a white crystal-like substance. A silver metal cylinder attached to the pouch contained a clear, crystal-like substance.

Curtis was then detained and read his Miranda rights. A field test of the crystal-like substance yielded a positive result for methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was later weighed at the Lawrence County Police Department on a non-certified scale and measured 0.3 grams.

Jackson’s Heavy Haul towed the vehicle. Curtis was transported to the Lawrence County Jail without incident.

Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.