Staff Report

WARSAW — A Warsaw man faces multiple charges after being pulled over for reckless driving. 

Terry Wright

Terry Joe Wright, 42, 1402 Alpha St., Warsaw, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and carrying a handgun without a license  with a felony within 15 years, a level 5 felony.  

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Nov. 16 an Indiana State Police officer was on patrol when he heard dispatch report a reckless driver northbound on SR 15 near the Claypool overpass. The suspect was reported to be towing a trailer and was being followed by a concerned motorist.

The officer found the suspect vehicle driving left of center just past Rozella Road and initiated a traffic stop. 

Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer noted that the driver appeared nervous and fidgety. The driver identified himself as Terry Wright by an Indiana Identification Card. The officer asked for the vehicle registration. Wright handed the officer an application for title paperwork but was unable to locate the vehicle registration. 

The officer asked Wright where he was coming from, to which Wright responded that he didn’t remember. Wright then said he was coming from Mentone. 

The officer observed Zig Zag rolling papers in plain view in the center dash console. Wright said he used the rolling papers for tobacco.

The officer learned that Wright had a suspended license.

The officer printed out a citation for DWS prior and a warning ticket for left of center and returned to Wright’s vehicle. The officer noticed that Wright was still acting nervous. Based upon Wright’s behavior, movements and memory issues, the officer believed Wright to be under the influence of drugs.

The officer asked Wright to exit the vehicle. The officer asked Wright if he could conduct a pat down for both his safety and the safety of the officer and Wright agreed.

While the car door was open, the officer observed two torch lighters, which the officer was aware are frequently associated with drug use. Wright denied possessing drugs. The officer asked to search the vehicle to which Wright allegedly told him to go ahead and said he wouldn’t find anything. 

Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found the remains of a joint, two roaches that tested positive for THC, a sandwich bag with marijuana and a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun. Wright told the officer he did not have a permit for the handgun and also advised the officer he was on parole for a felony.

After Wright had been booked into the jail and while he was changing into jail clothing, a jail officer located a plastic bag that had fallen from Wright’s possession. The bag contained one gram of meth.

Wright was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Nov. 16 on a $10,250 surety and cash bond.