Jasonville man suspected of driving under the influence of methamphetamine

Erratic driving in Linton last Tuesday night led to a traffic stop then the arrest of a Jasonville man suspected of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine.

Jesse Daniel Betts

Jesse Daniel Betts, 37, Jasonville, was arrested by Officer Bobby Pierce of the Linton Police Department after a traffic stop late last Tuesday, March 2. Betts was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:17 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3.

After watching a gray 2001 GMC truck cross the center line three times then drive up over a curb when making a turn off State Road 54 onto 3rd Street SE in Linton last Tuesday night around 10:24 p.m., Officer Pierce initiated a traffic stop.

Betts was the driver.

Officer Pierce reported Betts exhibited signs of methamphetamine use. He said Betts was jittery, had very quick speech and couldn’t stop moving. He was also unsteady, staggered from the truck and was emitting the odor of an alcoholic beverage.

Betts allegedly admitted to a history of drug use and that he had used meth the day before.

Betts failed standard field sobriety tests then refused to take a chemical test. He was transported to Greene County General Hospital for a blood draw – results pending.

Once booked in, bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted $400 and been released from jail.

Betts is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on March 15 when he will be formally charged with:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person a Class A misdemeanor,

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and

• Operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in body, a Class C misdemeanor.