A traffic stop initiated due to the driver of a four wheeler operating it without headlights at approximately 11:30 p.m. Aug. 26 resulted in drug-related arrests for two Bloomfield residents. 

While on routine patrol, Linton Police Department Officer Cayden Walker observed a four wheeler on 6th Street Northeast in Linton traveling north with no headlights on. Walker drove around the block to attempt to make a traffic stop. He located the four wheeler at a stop sign at the intersection of 6th Street Northeast and State Road 54. The four-wheeler’s lights came on and turned west onto State Road 54, traveling two blocks west before turning into Sunoco gas station. 

Walker initiated a traffic stop on the four wheeler, which appeared to be spray-painted black. The driver was identified as Seth Logan Delph, 27, and the passenger, Linda Jo Secrest, 45. 

Walker informed Delph and Secrest of the reason for the stop. Delph told Walker something was wrong with the four wheeler’s alternator and its headlight had not been functioning properly. He said he wasn’t aware he could not drive the apparatus on the highway for a few blocks. 

Upon contacting Linton Dispatch to check driver’s licenses to check for any warrants as well as their driving statuses, dispatch advised Delph had a suspended with a prior conviction status on his driver’s license with his license being suspended indefinitely. Dispatch also advised Secrest had a suspended status on her driving privileges. 

After Delph was placed in handcuffs, Secrest asked for her purse from the four wheeler and was advised that Lieutenant Bobby Pierce of the Linton Police Department would have to check the bag for any weapons. 

During the weapon search of the purse, Lt. Pierce located a clear baggie containing a white crystal substance. Lt. Pierce advised Walker of what he had found and that he believed the substance to be methamphetamine. The substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine. 

While Lt. Pierce spoke with Delph and Secrest, Walker continued to search the purse. During his search, he located a green metal smoking device containing burnt plant-like material. The green metal smoking device had the odor of burnt marijuana.

Delph told Lt. Pierce the methamphetamine in the purse belonged to him; however, Walker advised Secrest since the methamphetamine and marijuana were in her purse she was also considered in possession of the drugs. 

During a search at the jail by a jail officer, a clear baggie containing green plant-like material and white hand-rolled cigarette “roaches” containing burnt plant-like material were located on Secrest. She said the marijuana was hers.  

While en route to Greene County Jail, Secrest told Walker, “the meth was Seth’s but he thought he was going to jail so he handed it to me and I tried to hide it in my purse.”

Secrest is also facing preliminary charges of possession of marijuana stemming from a July 26 incident. 

During the incident, Deputy Michael Stanley of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a four wheeler driving on the highway without headlights or taillights. The four wheeler was pulling a small black trailer. One of the trailer tires had blown which prevented them from moving the trailer further. They told Stanley they had someone coming to pick the trailer up. Stanley asked if he could check the trailer to ensure nothing unsafe was being left. Consent was given by both Delph and Secrest. The search revealed a yellow plastic container with green plant-like material inside. 

Secrest admitted she knew what marijuana looked like but she wasn’t aware there was any in the trailer. She said she would claim the drug even though she wasn’t aware it was in the trailer they were pulling. Delph stated he was not aware of the marijuana in the trailer. 

Stanley informed Secrest and Delph summons for the offense would be sent via mail. 

Delph was preliminarily charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony

• Driving While Suspended: Knowing Violation and Prior Conviction within 10 Years, a class A misdemeanor

He was held without bond until his initial hearing in Greene Superior Court on Aug. 30.

Secrest was preliminarily charged with: 

• Possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony

• Possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor

• Two charges of possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor

She was held without bond until her initial hearing in Greene Superior Court on Aug. 30