James Carl Woodard Jr.

KOSCIUSKO — A man with addresses listed in Elkhart and Mishawaka is facing drug charges after being pulled over for an expired license plate.

James C. Woodard Jr., 58, with addresses on file as both 112 E. 6th St., Mishawaka, and 1901 Osolo Road, Lot 180, Elkhart, is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; driving while suspended, a class A misdemeanor; false informing, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Friday, Dec. 14, a Warsaw City Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired plates. The driver was identified as Woodard Jr., who provided a birthdate of June 1, 1962. The officer later discovered that Woodard Jr. had provided a false date of birth. Woodard Jr. also identified himself as James Woodard Sr., his father. It was determined that Woodard Jr.’s license was suspended with a prior conviction of driving while suspended. The officer placed Woodard Jr. under arrest and conducted an inventory of the vehicle. 

During the inventory search, the officer located a glass smoking device containing a white residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; a cut straw containing white residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; and a clear plastic bag containing a white substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. 

Woodard Jr. was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Friday, Dec. 14, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.