When an LPD officer recognized a man on a three-wheeler and knew he did not have a valid driver’s license, he pulled him over then reported the man showed numerous signs of impairment.

Joseph Franklin Ball, 42, Linton, was arrested by Officer Janzen Franklin of the Linton Police Department early Thursday, July 28. Ball was booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:18 AM with bond set at $5000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He has since posted bond and been released from custody with an initial hearing scheduled earlier today.

Officer Franklin initiated a traffic stop when he saw Ball driving a red 1985 Honda three-wheeler across State Road 54 onto 8th St NE in Linton and knew that Ball’s driver’s license was suspended.

When Officer Franklin talked to Ball, he allegedly admitted that he knew his license was suspended but then Officer Franklin noticed that Ball’s speech was slow and slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his manual dexterity was sluggish, his balance was unstable, and he then allegedly admitted he'd been smoking marijuana.

Ball said he was unable to perform standardized field sobriety testing due to injuries but he said he did not want to take a chemical test. After Ball was transported to the Linton Police Department, he asked for an ambulance for his blood sugar but Greene County Rescue advised that his blood sugar was OK.

A search warrant was approved for a blood draw and Ball was transported to Greene County General Hospital where a blood draw was obtained and Ball received medical clearance.

Officer Franklin reported that Ball’s driver’s license was suspended in 2016.

Ball has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and driving while suspended with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A misdemeanor.