Staff Report

Zachary Joel Sparks-Starr

WARSAW — Two men are facing charges after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of unlawful possession of a firearm and marijuana.

Zachary Joel Sparks-Starr, 28, 4390 N. 800E, Churubusco, is charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun as a convicted felon, a level 5 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a class A misdemeanor.

David Ybarra III, 25, 1208 Kuder Lane, Warsaw, is charged with possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor.

On July 2, a Warsaw Police officer saw a vehicle make an unsafe lane change on US 30. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified Sparks-Starr as the driver and Ybarra as a passenger. While speaking with Sparks-Starr, the officer smelled marijuana.

According to court documents, as Sparks-Starr exited the vehicle, a vape pen fell to the ground. Officers also found a handgun and two additional vape pens on his person. Sparks-Starr said he didn’t know if the vape pens contained marijuana or not.

Ybarra admitted to having a vape pen containing marijuana on his person.

All of the vape pens found during the incident tested positive for marijuana.

Sparks-Starr has prior convictions for cocaine and marijuana possession.

Sparks-Starr has already been arrested and released on bond.

Ybarra has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Aug. 16.