When a Jasonville man appeared in court yesterday on drug charges, the prosecution said they intended to seek habitual offender status in this case.

Levi Edward Butt, 33, Jasonville, was arrested by Deputy Sergeant Jordan Allor of the Greene County Sheriff's Department late Saturday night, January 21.

Sergeant Allor, assisted by Deputy Logan Milligan, conducted a traffic stop around 10:24 p.m.in the parking lot of a convenience store in Linton on a green 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan that only had one working headlight.

Butt was the driver who provided his driver’s license but said he didn't know where the registration was. When his driver's license was checked, Sergeant Allor learned Butt’s driver's license was suspended and he was not eligible for a driver’s license.

Butt was asked to exit his vehicle and asked if he had any weapons on him. He said no then put his hands in his pockets. Sergeant Allor asked him to take his hands out of his pockets and said he would do a pat down for weapons and then Butt could put his hands in his pockets if they got cold. During the pat down, Sergeant Allor felt a large item in Butt’s front coat pocket and he asked Butt what it was. Butt allegedly said it was a meth pipe. He was asked if he had any syringes on him and he said no. He was also asked if he had any meth on him and Butt allegedly said no.

The meth pipe in his coat pocket was located inside a black sock. Sergeant Allor also reported that during the search he found a small clear plastic container containing a white crystal substance in another pocket and a clear plastic zip style bag containing white powder residue in the same pocket.

Inside the vehicle between the driver’s and front passenger seat, a syringe was located and Butt admitted he was not a diabetic.

Butt was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:28 PM where he was being held without bond pending court appearance.

Butt appeared in Greene Superior Court yesterday via video conference between the jail and the courtroom for his initial hearing. During the hearing, a public defender was appointed to represent Butt, his bond was set at $8500 with 10% cash allowed, and the prosecution said they intended to seek habitual offender status.

Butt has been charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

• Unlawful possession of syringe, a Level 6 felony, and

• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.