Two facing drug-related charges after North Vernon traffic stops

Two people were arrested in North Vernon Saturday on drug related charges following two separate traffic stops.

According to the North Vernon Police Department, in an early morning incident Saturday an officer noticed a vehicle make several traffic violations near a fast food restaurant on Main Street. After pulling the vehicle over, the driver Jamie L. Shatto was found to have an outstanding warrant from Johnson County. She was taken into custody and a search of the car uncovered controlled substances inside, police say. She is facing two felony charges for possessing the drugs.

In another incident, an officer was heading northbound on State Road 7 on his way home after the Christmas parade when he saw a vehicle suddenly slow down, activate its hazard lights, swerve and eventually drift into the oncoming travel lane. The officer pulled the vehicle over near the intersection with Jennings County Road 900N and found that the driver, Mark Austerman of North Vernon had a suspended license. He was arrested and a search revealed he was carrying a small bottle with two plastic baggies inside. They tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine.