Staff Report

SYRACUSE — A Kimmell man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of nearly 30 grams of methamphetamine.

Tyler James Niles

Tyler James Niles, 33, 9521 West CR 75N, Kimmell, is charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on July 14, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies were patrolling the Syracuse and North Webster areas during Operation Firecracker. 

An officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office spotted a black Chevrolet Tahoe with only one working headlight on Huntington Street in Syracuse.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Niles.

A Warsaw police officer arrived with his K9 partner, who is trained to detect the odor of illegal drugs. The K9 performed an exterior air search on the Tahoe and made a positive alert to the presence of illegal drugs.

Officers searched the Tahoe and found a black digital scale with a white powder residue, which tested positive for methamphetamine. 

Niles was searched, and police found a plastic bag containing 29.89 grams of methamphetamine in Niles’ pocket. A glass pipe containing residue then fell out from under his clothes.

An officer spoke with Niles, who allegedly admitted that he was going to drop off the bag of methamphetamine to another person. 

Niles was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail July 15 on a $25,250 surety and cash bond.