Three arrested in I-64 Traffic Stop

The Indiana State Police, Evansville District, released the following information.

A traffic stop for a moving violation on I-64 in Warrick County yesterday led to the arrest of three Indiana residents on various drug-related charges.

Yesterday afternoon, Trooper Blake Swan stopped a vehicle driven by Christopher Bailey, 35, of Huntingburg, Indiana, for following too closely. The vehicle also contained two passengers, identified as Heath Pieper, 42, of Tell City, Indiana, and Joseph Fransted, 56, of Huntingburg, Indiana.

During the course of the traffic stop, Swan observed indicators of possible criminal activity. Bailey consented to a search of the vehicle. With assistance from the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, the search led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Bailey, Pieper, and Fransted were arrested and transported to the Warrick County Jail without incident on the following preliminary charges:

Christopher Bailey, 35, Huntingburg, Indiana

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor

Heath Pieper, 42, Tell City, Indiana

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor

Joseph Fransted, 56, Huntingburg, Indiana

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor

All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.