Staff Report

Earl Dean Shepherd

NORTH WEBSTER — A Claypool man was arrested after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of drugs.

Earl Dean Shepherd, 52, 4526 S. Manns Road, Claypool, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; false informing, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony.

On Jan. 31, an Indiana State Police trooper noticed a speeding vehicle south of North Webster and pulled the vehicle over. The vehicle’s driver, later identified as Shepherd, provided the trooper with a false name.

According to court documents, Shepherd later positively identified himself and said he had a warrant for his arrest in Wabash County. However, Wabash County dispatch advised there was not an active warrant for Shepherd.

Shepherd admitted to lying about his identity because he thought there was a warrant for his arrest. The trooper then requested permission to search Shepherd’s vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, Shepherd found a bag containing 0.5 grams of meth under the vehicle’s driver’s seat.

Shepherd has prior convictions for dealing and possessing meth in Kosciusko County. He also has an active criminal case for possessing drugs in Wabash County.

Shepherd has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance.