A driver without a valid license said he was driving because his passenger was too intoxicated to drive, and he didn’t know that meth was in the vehicle.

Jeffrey Shane Crowder, 44, rural Bloomington, was arrested by Deputy Devan Goad of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department late last Friday, April 2.

Last Friday night, Deputy Devan Goad was on patrol with Deputy Jordan Allor when Deputy Goad stopped a bronze 2002 Pontiac Grand Am because it had no headlights and no license plate. When the Pontiac pulled over, so did a red 2012 Chevrolet Silverado that was following the Pontiac.

Crowder was the driver of the Silverado. When Deputy Goad talked to him, he allegedly admitted he did not have a valid driver’s license. A records check revealed his license was suspended for being an habitual traffic violator.

Crowder was detained then transported to jail.

During a later inventory conducted due to the Silverado being towed, Deputy Allor reported he found a Ziploc bag containing a white crystal substance in the truck.

Crowder allegedly said he was driving the truck because the passenger was intoxicated and that he didn’t know the methamphetamine was in the truck. He said his DNA would not be found on the bag of meth but he declined to give a DNA sample.

Crowder was booked in at 11:14 p.m. He was held without bond pending court appearance.

Crowder is facing preliminary charges of:

• Operating a vehicle while being an habitual traffic violator, a Level 6 felony, and

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.

He is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court tomorrow morning, April 8, when he will be formally charges and his bond will be set.