Traffic Stop in Whitley County Leads to Meth Related Arrest

CHURUBUSO, IN - A Whitley County woman and a Noble County man were arrested this morning after the van they were driving in was stopped for a traffic violation and precursors for a meth lab were discovered inside of it. 

At approximately 8:15 am, Senior Trooper Roy Stuckey observed a blue 2000 Dodge Caravan traveling southbound on US 33 north of County Road 550 N as it was passing another vehicle in a no passing zone.  As Stuckey turned around, the van turned onto 550 N and into a private driveway in the 8000 E block of that road. 

A check of the driver, Tracy M. Bogner, 23, of Churubusco, revealed that she had an arrest warrant out of Kosciusko County for failing to appear for a charge of false informing.  The passenger, James Lee Severit, 28, of Wolf Lake had two body attachments issued for him out of Noble County. 

Inside the van were items commonly associated with the manufacture of meth, including anhydrous ammonia, along with a shotgun and numerous shotgun shells.  The Indiana State Police Clandestine Laboratory Team was called in to render the scene safe and to identify, document and collect necessary evidence.  Both Bogner and Severit were taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Whitley County Jail.  Assisting were the Whitley County Sheriff Department and the Churubusco Police Department. 

Arrested and both charged with:

Tracy M. Bogner, 23, 13102 Taylor Road, Churubusco, IN

James Lee Severit, 28, 1226 S US 33, Wolf Lake, IN

• Possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture meth, Class D felony
• Possession of unapproved container to hold anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture meth, Class D Felony
• Possession of paraphernalia