New police dog finds meth on first work day in Jennings County

A North Vernon man is being accused of dealing methamphetamine after a new police dog found drugs during a traffic stop.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy pulled over a vehicle for a traffic stop at about 7:45 p.m. Monday evening on Pike Street in Vernon. The deputy suspected drug activity and Deputy Tyler Campbell and his canine partner Hurley came to the scene. Hurley alerted to the smell of drugs in the vehicle.

A search uncovered 52 grams of methamphetamine inside. Deputies also discovered that the driver, 46-year-old Billey McRoberts, was wanted on an outstanding Jennings County warrant for a theft charge.

McRoberts was taken into custody and is now facing felony charges for dealing in and possessing the meth, as well as the outstanding warrant.

Lt. Thomas Mellencamp with the sheriff’s department said that Monday was the first day that Deputy Campbell and Hurley were together as a team on the streets of Jennings County. They just graduated from K-9 school last week.