A driver was advised not to drive after receiving medication in an emergency room, but he did anyway. He was stopped by a deputy, arrested and appeared in court yesterday on charges of OVWI.

Dustin Tyler Thompson, 29, Bloomfield, was arrested by Sgt. Bobby Pierce of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department during a traffic stop late last Wednesday, February 12. Thompson was booked into the Greene County Jail around 2:07 a.m. on Thursday, February 13.

Thompson appeared in Greene Superior Court yesterday, Tuesday, February 18, and was charged with:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony,
Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor,
Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, and
Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

During the hearing, a public defender was appointed to represent him and his bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. Thompson then posted $800 and was released.

Thompson was the driver of a red 2006 Pontiac that was stopped by Sgt. Pierce on County Road 250 West just south of State Road 54 because a front headlight was out.

Sgt. Pierce reported that as he was conducting the stop, it became apparent to him that Thompson was intoxicated. He said Thompson exhibited numerous signs of intoxication including inability to keep his eyes open.

Thompson denied he had ingested any illegal drugs but allegedly said he had recently visited Greene County General Hospital and was given morphine and valium during a visit to the emergency room. When Sgt. Pierce asked him if he was supposed to drive after being given this medication, Thompson allegedly said he was told not to drive and to find a ride home.

Thompson reportedly failed standard field sobriety testing, but a portable breath test revealed he had not consumed alcohol. He submitted to a blood draw – results are pending.

Sgt. Pierce reported that during an inventory of Thompson’s vehicle, numerous items of contraband were seized as evidence including green, leafy plant-like material believed to be synthetic marijuana, a grinder containing a green leafy plant-like material believed to be marijuana, a “bong” smoking device with burnt residue, another glass smoking device and various pills, some of which Thompson had a prescription for and some that he allegedly didn’t have a prescription for.

Sgt. Pierce noted Thompson has a prior conviction in Greene County in 2015 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.