Staff Report

Dennis R. Deaton Jr.

WARSAW — A Warsaw man faces 13 criminal charges after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of various drugs and paraphernalia.

Dennis R. Deaton Jr., 49, 317 W. Smith St., Warsaw, is charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine and dealing cocaine with enhancing circumstances, both level 3 felonies; dealing cocaine more than one gram, a level 4 felony; possession of cocaine with enhancing circumstances and dealing in a schedule I, II or III controlled substance with enhancing circumstances, both level 5 felonies; possession of cocaine, dealing in a schedule I, II or III controlled substance, possession of a syringe, and possession of a legend drug, all level 6 felonies; sentence enhancement possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On Jan. 8, a Warsaw Police officer noticed a parked vehicle with a false and fictitious plate. The officer also learned the vehicle was not properly registered.

According to court documents, the officer later saw the vehicle traveling east on West Smith Street. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Deaton, who appeared to be nervous and slightly agitated.

The officer told Deaton that the vehicle’s license plate was false and fictitious. He also said Deaton did not signal a turn and was not wearing a seat belt. Deaton told the officer he just bought the vehicle and put a plate from another vehicle that he owned onto the one he was operating when he was pulled over. He said he planned on putting the plate back onto the vehicle it came from.

The officer advised Deaton the vehicle was going to be impounded, at which point Deaton became reluctant to leave. When asked if everything in the vehicle belonged to him, Deaton said yes.

While the officer searched the vehicle, Deaton asked about a “lunchbox” that was in the vehicle. Due to heightened concern for officer safety from prior information that occupants of the 317 W. Smith St. address had incidents involving firearms, the officer checked the box for any weapons prior to handing it to Deaton.

Upon opening the box, the officer found a large bag containing 176.6 grams, or about 0.38 pounds, of methamphetamine.

While searching the vehicle, officers found five syringes, including one that tested positive for methamphetamine, and a metal smoking device.

On Deaton’s person, officers found several bags containing 31 pills, which were later identified as controlled substances; 11.8 grams of methamphetamine; one gram of cocaine; $3,464 in currency; and 8.4 grams of marijuana.

Deaton was previously convicted of dealing methamphetamine and possession of cocaine in Kosciusko County in March 2007.

Deaton was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Jan. 8, with a $25,500 surety and cash bond. As part of his bond conditions, Deaton cannot leave Kosciusko County without permission from county courts.