(Dearborn County, IN) – A North Vernon man is facing charges in Dearborn County following a traffic stop in Aurora that led the seizure of 29 grams of fentanyl.
James Watkins is charged with Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Fentanyl).
The Level 2 felony count is the result of a traffic stop on March 6.
An Aurora police officer pulled Watkins over after allegedly seeing him commit traffic violations. During the stop, a K-9 conducted a free air sniff of the vehicle and indicated the detection of drugs.
Investigators say a probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 29 grams of suspected fentanyl.
Watkins appeared in Dearborn Superior Court II before Judge Sally McLaughlin for his initial hearing on Monday. His next court date is a pre-trial hearing on May 13.
“Mr. Watkins is innocent until proven guilty in Court,” said Lynn Deddens, Dearborn/Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney. “However, a large amount of fentanyl was taken off the streets. My office is committed to aggressive prosecution of these kinds of cases in an effort to get drugs out of our community. I want to thank Aurora Police, K-9 Officer Ozzy and the Indiana State Police for the good police work that went into making this arrest.”
Watkins is lodged in the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center on a $500-thousand cash bond and a $750-thousand surety bond.
He could get 10 to 30 years in prison if convicted.
