Three facing drug dealing charges after traffic stop

Three people were arrested on drug-dealing related charges after a Saturday traffic stop in North Vernon turned into a chase.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy was patrolling on West U.S. 50 at about 6 p.m. Saturday evening when he noticed a vehicle make several traffic violations. He attempted to pull the vehicle over but instead the driver took off. After a short pursuit, the driver pulled into a gas station and deputies made a high-risk traffic stop, taking the three occupants into custody.

A police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle and a search recovered nearly 69 grams, or about two and a half ounces, of methamphetamine along with evidence of drug sales.

Deputies arrested 43-year-old Steven Fletcher and 43-year-old Gary Petro, both of North Vernon, and 45-year-old James Giland of Seymour on charges of dealing in and possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Fletcher is also facing charges of resisting law enforcement and maintaining a common nuisance, while Petro and Giland are being accused of visiting a common nuisance.

Deputies say that the investigation is ongoing.