Yesterday, shortly after 9:00 am, the Indiana State Police arrested an Indiana man on numerous charges after guns and drugs were located in his vehicle during a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County.
The investigation began when Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 on I-65 Northbound near the 55 mile marker in northern Jackson County. During the course of the traffic stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious of criminal activity taking place. Trp. Miller deployed his K-9, Jinx, which alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, troopers located approximately 55 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, two guns, and over $1,000 in US Currency. The serial number on one of the firearms was removed.
As a result, the driver of the vehicle, Stephen Hoop, age 39, Clayton, Indiana was arrested at the scene. He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was being held pending his initial court appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
Hoop was being held on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony, Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Level 5 Felony, Possession of a Handgun with Obliterated Serial Number, Level 5 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction, Class A Misdemeanor, and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor.
Trp. Miller was assisted by Trps. Jason Hankins and Christopher Lockman.
