Fort Wayne Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads To Meth Discovery
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Fort Wayne man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop allegedly led to the discovery of methamphetamine.
Alex Michael Lattimore, 30, 811 W. State Blvd., Fort Wayne, is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine enhancing circumstances, a level 4 felony; possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a class A misdemeanor; false informing, a class B misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and carrying a handgun without a license, a level 5 felony.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 5, a Pierceton police officer was patrolling near Ryerson Road and SR 13 in Pierceton. The officer noted that a vehicle was traveling 68 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The officer initiated a traffic stop near Elm and First streets in Pierceton. The driver, Lattimore, said his name was Christopher Davis and that he did not have his license with him.
The officer observed that the female passenger in the vehicle seemed nervous. He asked Lattimore if there was anything illegal in the vehicle.
Lattimore said there was not, but he would not give consent for a search. A deputy from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office arrived with a K-9. The K-9 performed an outer air sniff and alerted for the presence of drugs inside the vehicle.
Police again asked about illegal items in the vehicle The passenger said there was a gun next to her seat in the console that her father gave to her for protection. An officer heard Lattimore tell the passenger it would be a misdemeanor for her to possess the gun.
Officers found a loaded Walther 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle with a round in the chamber. The gun was between the passenger seat and the center console, within arm’s reach of both Lattimore and the passenger. They also found a digital scale with white residue, which tested positive for meth. Officers arrested both Lattimore and his passenger and searched them.
Officers found a wallet in Lattimore’s pocket with a driver’s license that said his name was Alex Lattimore. Lattimore said he gave a false name because he has warrants in Allen and Whitley counties.
Officers also found four syringes, a zip top bag containing smaller bags and a tourniquet band in Lattimore’s pockets. Lattimore admitted the band was for drug use.
Lattimore’s passenger told an officer that when the traffic stop started Lattimore took the gun from his waistband and told her to hide it. She said Lattimore also said that she should take the blame for it if it was found.
While Lattimore was being booked at the Kosciusko County Jail, jail staff located a zip top bag containing 6.9 grams of methamphetamine.
Lattimore was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Sept. 6 on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.