A Merom man, who told an officer he was just trying to make a living, was arrested this week in Linton. He has been charged with dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, along with other drug related charges.

Joshua Wayne Thompson, 43, Merom, was arrested by Officer Cayden Walker of the Linton Police Department and booked into jail early Wednesday, November 30, following an incident that occurred late Tuesday night, November 29.

Officer Walker was on routine patrol at 11:07 PM Tuesday when he saw a white Ford F-150 cross the center line while traveling west on State Road 54 near 5th St NW in Linton. The officer got behind the truck and reported it crossed the center line two more times and was traveling slow. The officer initiated a traffic stop and the truck turned into the parking lot of Allen's Motel and stopped.

Thompson was the driver with a female passenger on board. When asked for his driver’s license and registration, Thompson gave the officer the wrong registration for the plate that was on the vehicle. He was asked to step out of the truck then gave consent for his vehicle to be searched.

During this initial search, Officer Walker reported finding a silver case in the back passenger seat. The silver case contained a wooden case which contained multiple pieces of paraphernalia including three glass smoking devices with white powder residues, a white rubber cylinder container containing a yellow and brownish wax-like substance, a silver metal grinder containing a plant material, a black digital scale with white powder residue, a brownish plastic straw with white powder residue, a rubber smoking device with a burnt residue and another smoking device with a white powder residue.

When the officer talked to Thompson about these items, Thompson said he needed to stay out of jail for the night because he had a doctor appointment the next morning and Officer Walker asked him where the methamphetamine was located. Thompson allegedly said it was in the very front of his pants. Thompson had previously been placed in handcuffs so at that point his right hand was taken out of the handcuffs and Thompson reached into the front of his pants and pulled out a blue zip style baggie.

The baggie contained another zip style baggie which contained a white crystal substance and four zip style baggies containing green plant material.

Win Officer Walker asked him if he was selling, Thompson allegedly said, “Man, what do you think? Yeah, I can't f***** work anymore, man, I'm trying to make a living.” When later asked about his selling activity and how much he was selling, Thompson reportedly said he didn't know but he got some every two or three weeks. He denied selling it very often and said he just had a few friends scattered around.

After both Thompson and the passenger said all of the items belonged to Thompson, the passenger was released from the scene.

Thompson was concerned about a money clip containing $500 that he thought was in the vehicle but the officers could not find it.

The white crystal substance in the baggie field-tested positive as methamphetamine and when it was weighed, the scale showed it weighed 20.30 grams.

At 12:59 AM Wednesday, Thompson was booked into the Greene County Jail where he was held without bond pending court appearance.

Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw filed a criminal case against Thompson yesterday/Thursday in Greene Circuit Court and during an initial hearing held yesterday via video connection between the jail and the courtroom, Thompson was charged with:

• Dealing in methamphetamine or delivery of methamphetamine in an amount of 10 or more grams, a Level 2 felony,

• Possession of methamphetamine in an amount between 10 and 28 grams, a Level 4 felony,

• Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, and

• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

During the hearing, Thompson's bond was set at $40,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He has since posted $4000 bond and been released.