A Linton driver who was stopped early Wednesday for an expired license plate ended up in jail for possession of methamphetamine after an LPD K-9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance in the vehicle.

Richard James Wilkins, Jr., 37, Linton, was arrested by Officer Adam King of the Linton Police Department early Wednesday, January 27.

Wilkins was the driver of a gray 2003 Toyota Camry that was stopped around 12:53 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, in a traffic stop initiated by Officer King because the license plate on the Camry was expired.

When Officer King talked to Wilkins, at the intersection of North Main and D Street NE in Linton, Wilkins said he did not realize the license plate was expired.

When LPD Officer Joe Riley arrived on scene to assist, along with his K-9 partner Kona, Wilkins and one passenger were asked to exit the vehicle and Officer Riley deployed the K-9 to conduct a free air sniff around the vehicle while Officer King continued with the business of the traffic stop.

The K-9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance and when Officer Riley searched the vehicle, he allegedly located a purple plastic container that contained a white crystal substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine. He also found two red cut straws with a white residue and a small metal tin with white residue.

Wilkins allegedly admitted the items belonged to him and confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.

Wilkins was transported to the Greene County Jail and booked in at 2:01 a.m. He was first held without bond pending court appearance.

Yesterday, on Thursday, January 28, Wilkins appeared in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing via two-way video between the jail and the courtroom. A public defender was appointed to represent him, his bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed, and he was formally charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.