Staff Report

Daniel Harrison Shepherd Jr.

PIERCETON — A Columbia City man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and being in possession of a firearm which was reported stolen over 30 years ago.

Daniel Harrison Shepherd Jr., 51, 315 S. Main St. Apartment 3, Columbia City, is charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun, a level 5 felony; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor.

On Dec. 15, a Pierceton Police officer responded to a single-vehicle accident near Robinson Lake Road and CR 150S. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer saw a vehicle on its roof in a field.

According to court documents, the officer saw the vehicle’s driver, later identified as Shepherd, crawl out of the vehicle. He also noticed an unopened bottle of whiskey underneath Shepherd, who admitted to drinking prior to the accident.

Shepherd failed several field sobriety tests but registered 0% on a portable breath test. He told the officer he used drugs the night prior and was tired because he’d been awake for almost a week. Certified chemical test results are pending.

While investigating the accident, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy found a revolver handgun in the vehicle. He discovered the firearm had been reported stolen in August 1990 to the Amarillo Police Department in Texas.

Shepherd allegedly said he did not know where the firearm came from.

Shepherd has a prior conviction for domestic battery in Whitley County in January 2013.

Shepherd has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Feb. 2, in Kosciusko Superior Court Two.