A 44-year-old Linton man who was pulled over by police for expired plates after previously being advised by police to renew them was later arrested on various drug-related charges on July 10.

Shane Kenneth Barnes was arrested on charges of: possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of a controlled substance, operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense and no endangerment, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance in its metabolite, and possession of paraphernalia. 

Linton Police Department Officer Jerrad Pirtle and Lt. Bobby Pierce were traveling east on State Road 54 when they passed a white Chevrolet pickup with no side windows in the parking lot of a gas station. According to the probable cause written by Officer Pirtle, the vehicle belonged to Barnes and had expired plates. Pirtle wrote he’d spoken to Barnes regarding the expired plates a few days prior. 

Upon making contact with Barnes, according to the probable cause affidavit, he became agitated and alleged officers were harassing him. Pirtle explained the reason for the stop was his expired plates that had not yet been remedied. Pirtle reminded Barnes per their prior conversation he was to keep the vehicle parked until he could renew the registration. Pirtle wrote in the document that Barnes showed abusive behavior with quick and slurred speech. He was asked to get out of the truck due to his abusive attitude and constant moving inside the vehicle. 

According to the probable cause, Pirtle – a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and a police officer with several years of experience – believed Barnes to be under the influence of a controlled substance based on his behaviors. Barnes declined a field sobriety test. 

While searching Barnes, Pirtle located a silver case containing a digital scale and a metal smoking device in his front pocket. Linton Police Department Officer Janzen Franklin located several clear plastic bags containing a leaf-life substance and a pill bottle with several small clear plastic bags, one with a crystal-like substance, and four different types of loose pills. The crystal-like substance, according to the probable cause affidavit, field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The pills were identified through drugs.com and were: Hydrocodone, a Schedule II substance, Alprazolam, a Schedule IV substance, Hydrocodone, a Schedule II substance, and Hydrochloride, a Schedule IV substance. 

Lt. Pierce conducted an inventory of the truck before it was towed from the scene. According to the probable cause affidavit, he located a tan backpack with a glass smoking device containing residue as well as a syringe inside. Barnes allegedly admitted the backpack was his and knew the smoking device was in there but was not aware the syringe was inside. 

Barnes was transported to the Linton Police Department while a search warrant for a blood sample was prepared and approved. Once approved, he was transported to Greene County General Hospital for a blood draw, results pending. 

He was transported to Greene County Jail where he was held without bond. 

When he appeared in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on July 13, his bond was set at $30,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

He’s being charged with: 

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 Felony

• Possession of a syringe, a Level 6 Felony

• Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A Misdemeanor

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

• Operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or Schedule II substance in its metabolite, a Class C Misdemeanor

• Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C Misdemeanor