Helpful Trooper Arrests Two Men on Drug Charges

PERU, IN - This morning, Indiana State Police Trooper Bart Stouffer stopped to assist two men occupying a disabled Cadillac on U.S. 31 at County Road 600 North. Trooper Stouffer inquired about the vehicle’s problem and was told the men were traveling from Chicago, IL to Peru, IN and had run out of gas and money. Prior to transporting the men to a gas station, Trooper Stouffer asked for the men’s names and dates of birth for identification purposes.  The men identified themselves as Willie S. Myles Jr., 18, and Phillip R. Patton, 19, both from Chicago, IL.  

Based upon the men’s behavior and vague answers, Trooper Stouffer requested assistance. When back up officers arrived, Trooper Stouffer obtained permission from the two men to search their Cadillac. Officers found cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle’s trunk. Rather than a trip to the gas station, the men were transported and incarcerated in the Miami County Jail with a bond of $6,000 each. Both men were charged with possessing cocaine under three grams, a class D felony. They were also charged with possession of marijuana under 30 grams, a class A misdemeanor.  

Trooper Stouffer was assisted by Master Trooper Earl McCullough, Trooper Aaron Schaal, and a canine officer from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.  

Any person convicted of a class D felony can receive up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A conviction on a class A misdemeanor brings up to one year imprisonment and a fine of $5,000. 

Source: Indiana State Police