After a concerned citizen called for a welfare check early this morning on a man who was asleep behind the wheel of his car parked in a public place in Linton, the driver was arrested on drug charges and evidence is being sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Bryon Keith Reeves, 42, Terre Haute, was arrested by Officer Wayman JR Blazier of the Linton Police Department earlier this morning, Thursday, October 20.

Shortly before 7:30 this morning, the Linton Police Department was asked to do a welfare check on a man that was slumped over the steering wheel in his vehicle which was parked in front of soda machines at a local business in Linton. The caller said the man had been there for about 45 minutes.

Officer Blazier and Officer Davis Aerne responded and found a silver 1999 Dodge Caliber with an Illinois license plate parked in front of some vending machines. The driver, later identified as Reeves, was passed out while sitting in the driver's seat. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.

Officer Blazier, the investigating officer, reported that when Officer Aerne got to the front passenger door of the vehicle, he could see two syringes in plain view along with a brown glass smoking device with a black rubber hose with burnt material, a yellow straw and two butane lighters sitting in the front passenger seat. Officer Blazier could only see the two syringes from his vantage point at the driver’s front window.

Reeves woke up when Officer Blazier knocked on the window and was asked to step outside the vehicle. When asked what was going on, Reeves seemed confused and very nervous. A pat-down for weapons on his outer clothing was performed and he was asked what he was doing again but he did not have an answer. Reeves allegedly said he was from Sullivan County and the plates on the vehicle were from Illinois because he had just purchased the vehicle from a friend. When asked if there were any illegal substances in the vehicle Reeves allegedly said they would not find any. When asked if the syringes or the yellow straw would test positive for any illegal substances, he again said no.

But when Officer Aerne checked the yellow straw, it field tested positive for oxycodone or fentanyl and both are a Schedule II controlled substance. None of the syringes appeared to be used.

Reeves was taken into custody and transported to the sheriff's department by GCSD Deputy Zachary Goad and booked into the Green County Jail at 8:41 AM this morning.

Officer Blazier reported that during the required vehicle inventory, a small cellophane bag containing a green plant material believed to be marijuana was found along with a zip bag containing a white powdery substance as well as a multicolor rubber container containing a waxy substance. These items of evidence are being sent to the lab for analysis - results pending.

Reeves was being held without bond pending court appearance. A criminal case was filed against him today but the date of his initial hearing is not yet known.

Reeves is facing charges of:

• Possession of paraphernalia a Class C misdemeanor,

• Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor, and

• Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.