Two Columbus residents were arrested on marijuana charges after a traffic stop on Friday morning.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at 12:22 a.m., Sgt. Kris Weisner was stopped at a traffic light
while heading east on County Road 650 N at US 31. As the light turned green, Weisner reported seeing a westbound vehicle turn southbound into the northbound lanes of US 31, make a “U-turn” back northbound on US 31, then turn eastbound onto County Road 650 N.
Sgt. Weisner stopped the vehicle on 650 N just east of US 31. When he made contact with the driver, 18-year-old Jared Newman, and his passenger, 18-year-old Sarah Ball, Weisner reported noticing the odor of marijuana. He also reported seeing a green leafy particles on Ball’s lap, as well as a cellophane wrapper containing a green leafy substance in Newman’s possession. Newman allegedly told Weisner that he had been smoking marijuana just before the traffic stop.
Newman was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence/Endangerment and Possession of Marijuana. Ball was arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia.
Both were booked in the Bartholomew County Jail. Jackson says that Newman remains behind bars on $8,500 bond, while Ball has been released on $6,000 bond.