Traffic Stop For Speeding Ends With Arrests Of Three Accused Meth Dealers

After $750 worth of meth was found in his vehicle, a suspect told troopers he dealt the drug in Ripley and Dearborn counties.

Dwayne Breakiron Jr. Photo by Ripley County Sheriff's Office.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Three Ripley County men are accused of dealing in methamphetamine.

The arrests stemmed from a traffic stop in Ripley County on March 8, according to a court affidavit. An Indiana State Police trooper clocked a Buick passenger car for speeding on State Road 350 in Dearborn County.

The driver, Ricky Newman, did not stop for the trooper who activated his emergency lights. Newman drove to his home on Old State Road 350 in the Moores Hill area before finally stopping in his driveway.

Newman and two passengers, Earl Courtney and Dwayne Breakiron Jr., were taken into custody as the trooper allegedly found in the vehicle a bag containing two ounces of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Newman had consented to the vehicle search, which also led to the discovery of a loaded handgun.

“Newman advised he was a methamphetamine dealer and had been for two to three months. Newman confirmed he dealt between 6-10 Ripley/Dearborn County residents weekly,” troopers stated in the affidavit.

Newman allegedly admitted he had just purchased the meth from a source in Cincinnati.

During an interview, Breakiron told police that Courtney had introduced him to Newman. Breakiron allegedly admitted he then introduced Newman to an Ohio source of methamphetamine. He said the two ounces of meth found in the car had just been purchased for $750.

Breakiron’s vehicle was parked at Newman’s home. Troopers searched it and allegedly found a black canister containing methamphetamine residue.

Troopers say all three of the suspects were on some form of “court monitored probation.”

As a previously convicted felony, police say, Newman was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm. He said he carried the gun with him during drug deals as protection.

The three are each charged with felony Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (level 2 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Methamphetamine (level 3 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (level 5 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Felony Carrying a Handgun with a Prior Felony Conviction (level 5 felony), Corrupt Business Influence (level 5 felony), and Maintaining a Common Nuisance (level 6 felony).

Newman faces additional charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine (level 2 felony) and Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License (level 5 felony), Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (level 6 felony), Resisting Law Enforcement (level 6 felony), and being a Habitual Offender.

All three suspects remain held in the Ripley County Jail as of Tuesday, March 26.