It would take $5,500 cash for a Bloomfield man accused of dealing methamphetamine to get out of jail. Last week the defense asked for that amount to be reduced but on Monday, a judge said no.

Richard Carl Lasater, 53, Bloomfield, was charged with dealing methamphetamine as a result of a traffic stop by ISP Troopers for an expired license plate. He was booked in to the Greene County Jail on Friday night, November 2, by Indiana State Police Troopers Richard Klun and Caleb Garvin.

Trooper Klun, the investigating officer, and Trooper Garvin were working stationary patrol that night on State Road 54 east of Lonetree Road east of Linton, along with Klun’s K9 Loki.

When a silver Dodge Durango passed by, eastbound on the highway, a random vehicle registration check revealed the plate on the Durango had expired in 2017 and it was actually registered to a silver Chevrolet Uplander minivan. A traffic stop was conducted on SR 54 just west of County Road 900.

Lasater was the passenger and when Trooper Klun’s K9 Loki was deployed, Loki alerted at the door of Lasater’s door.

When Lasater was searched, Trooper Garvin reported he was found in possession of a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance which field-tested positive as methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 29 grams including the bag. Trooper Klun said this amount is not consistent with personal use but was of an amount that would indicate sales and distribution of methamphetamine.

Lasater was first held without bond pending his appearance in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing. During the hearing on Tuesday, November 13, he was charged with dealing in methamphetamine in an amount of ten or more grams, a Level 2 felony, and possession of methamphetamine in an amount of 28 or more grams, a Level 3 felony.

Greene County Public Defender Alan Baughman was appointed to represent Lasater, and his bond was set at $55,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

Last Friday, November 16, the defense filed a motion to reduce the amount of Lasater’s bond, but yesterday, Monday, November 19, Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin ruled – motion denied.

As of mid-day, Lasater remains in the Greene County Jail with bond set at $55,000. He can be released if he posts $5,500 cash.