Staff Report

ETNA GREEN — An Etna Green man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop was initiated.

William Garrett Shultz

William Garrett Shultz, 28, 9209 W. CR 125N, Etna Green, is charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a legend drug, all level 6 felonies; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; operating while intoxicated and possession of paraphernalia, both class C misdemeanors; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated – enhancement, a level 6 felony. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 31, 2020, a town marshal was patrolling the area of CR 800W and US 30 near Etna Green when Kosciusko County Dispatch notified units of a possible impaired driver in that area and provided the description of a silver Honda Odyssey.

The town marshal saw the suspect vehicle traveling south on CR 800W from Old Road 30, traveling left of center. The marshal activated his emergency lights at the intersection of CR 200N and CR 800W while the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign. 

The vehicle failed to stop for the marshal and instead continued south on CR 800W for approximately half a mile, while the marshal followed behind him with his emergency equipment activated.

The vehicle continued traveling in the middle of the roadway before slamming on the brakes and stopping in the middle of the road.

The marshal spoke with the operator of the silver Honda Odyssey, identified as Shultz. The marshal read Shultz his Miranda Rights and Shultz agreed to speak with law enforcement.

While speaking with Shultz, the marshal could detect the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from Shultz.

Shultz admitted to smoking marijuana two hours earlier. Shultz also had watery eyes, slurred speech and was having difficulty staying awake.

The marshal read Shultz the Indiana Implied Consent, but Shultz refused to submit to a chemical test for intoxication. The marshal applied for and received a search warrant for a sample of blood from Shultz to complete a certified test for intoxication. Shultz submitted a sample of blood at Kosciusko Community Hospital’s lab for testing by Great Lakes Labs on Dec. 31.

An inventory was completed for the vehicle operated by Shultz before being towed from the scene. During the inventory, officers found a smoking device with residue that tested positive for marijuana in the center console cup holder. Police also found a blue backpack which Shultz admitted was his property. Inside the backpack, officers found three clear, red smoking devices that contained white residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, two plastic containers that contained methamphetamine, three small clear plastic bags that contained methamphetamine and a single white Alprazolam pill. Shultz said he does not have a valid prescription for Alprazolam, which is a Schedule IV prescription only legend drug.

Shultz was previously convicted of the offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Marshall County in June 2016.

Shultz was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 31, 2020, on a $10,500 surety and cash bond.