A traffic stop for driving without a license plate light resulted in the Sept. 12 arrest of a 59-year-old Linton man on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. 

Worthington Police Department Officer Caleb Ray arrested Johnny Houston after initiating a traffic stop – near State Road 67 and County Road 100 West –  for operating without a license plate light. While informing Houston of the reason for the stop, Officer Ray, according to the probable cause affidavit, observed an open beer can in the truck’s center console. Ray also detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. 

When outside of the vehicle, Houston was asked if he’d had anything to drink, to which he alleged he’d had four beers. According to the probable cause affidavit, while speaking with Houston, Officer Ray observed his balance to be off, his speech slurred, and his eyes red and glassy. When asked if he’d had too much to be able to drive, Houston told the officer, “probably so”. 

Officer Ray contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and requested a deputy be sent to conduct a standardized field sobriety test on Houston. The deputy later contacted Ray and informed him he would be unable to assist, so Ray contacted the Linton Police Department. 

While Houston was detained inside Ray’s vehicle, Worthington Officer David Sparks, according to the probable cause affidavit, saw him throw something into the weeds. When asked what it was, Houston alleged he threw out a bag of marijuana because he was afraid he would get caught with it. Sparks retrieved the bag of plant-like material that later field-tested positive for marijuana. Officer Sparks searched Houston and located a white bottle containing six pills. According to the probable cause, after a search on drugs.com, three of the pills were identified as Carisoprodol – a schedule IV controlled substance – while three were identified as Hydrocodone – a schedule II controlled substance. 

Houston was transported to the Linton Police Department where Officer Janzen Franklin conducted a standardized field sobriety test. Houston consented to and failed the field sobriety test. He consented to a portable breath test with a result of .127. Houston also consented to a certified breath test. Houston attempted the test three times but was unable to give a sufficient sample. 

Houston did not consent to the blood draw; therefore a search warrant was applied for and approved by Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin. Prior to being transported to jail, Houston was taken to Greene County General Hospital for a blood draw. 

Upon being transported to Greene County Jail, he was initially held without bond. After appearing in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing on Sept. 18, his bond was set at $2,500 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

He’s been charged with: 

• Possession of a controlled substance – possession of a Schedule, II, III, or IV substance, a Class A Misdemeanor

• Possession of marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated – first offense and no endangerment, a Class C Misdemeanor