When a Bicknell man arrested last Thursday in Linton appears in court tomorrow morning, he’ll be facing charges of OVWI plus possession of over 10 grams of methamphetamine, which is a Level 4 felony.

Jeffrey Loren Bowers, 57, Bicknell, was arrested early last Thursday, May 6, by Officer Janzen Franklin of the Linton Police Department.

Shortly after 12 a.m. last Thursday, Officer Franklin was northbound on Park Road near the entrance to the Linton FOP Lodge property when a gold 2005 Nissan Maxima traveling south was approaching him. Officer Franklin said when the vehicle got closer, he had to pull his patrol vehicle as far right as he could because the Nissan was traveling down the center of the road. Then when he followed the vehicle, he reported it crossed the center of the road again and he initiated a traffic stop.

Bowers was the driver who allegedly admitted he had one beer earlier in the day. BMV records showed his license was suspended but Bowers said he did not know that and it must be a mistake. Bowers got a verbal warning and was told his vehicle would be towed.

During the required inventory of the vehicle prior to towing, Officer Franklin reported finding a smoking device that had not been used. Bowers said he was going to use it to smoke marijuana but during their conversation, the officer noticed the smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from Bowers.

Bowers allegedly failed standard field sobriety tests, denied consent for a chemical test and allegedly then admitted he had also consumed a “Fireball” shot of liquor and a “Bloody Mary,” then later admitted he had consumed methamphetamine earlier in the day. A search warrant was approved and a blood draw was taken at Greene County General Hospital – results pending.

During a search of his person, Bowers allegedly was found with three bags, all containing a crystal substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine. At the jail when he was booked in, he allegedly was found with a pill later identified as acetaminophen and hydrocodone bitartrate, a controlled substance.

Officer Franklin reported that when the crystal substances were weighed at the Linton Police Department, the approximate weight was 10.97 grams.

Bowers was booked into jail at 3 a.m. He has been held without bond pending court appearance.

Bowers has retained an attorney and is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May 11.

He is facing charges of:

Possession of methamphetamine between 10 and 28 grams, Level 4 felony,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor,
Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor, and
Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.