By SYDNEY KENT
Two people are in custody after a traffic stop revealed what police are calling a “sizable amount” of illegal narcotics on Friday.
According to a press release from the Bluffton Police Department, a vehicle was pulled over for a burnt-out headlight. Additional units were requested after the driver was identified as Ollie Puckett, 23, Bluffton. Puckett has a previous conviction for robbery resulting in bodily injury in Wells County.
After a handgun was located during the initial search, Puckett and a passenger in the vehicle were both detained.
Further evaluation revealed a plastic bag of methamphetamine that weighed 18.5 grams, eight bags of various amounts of cocaine totaling 11 grams, a bag of blue pills weighing 1.64 grams that later tested positive for fentanyl, as well as additional paraphernalia and $485 in cash.
Puckett was charged with the following: dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine, both Level 2 felonies, dealing a narcotic drug (cocaine), a Level 2 felony, dealing a narcotic drug (fentanyl) and possession of cocaine, both Level 3 felonies, possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, both Level 4 felonies and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
The passenger in the vehicle told police she was with Puckett overnight on Wednesday and again on Friday after midnight shortly before the traffic stop.
She reported that during her time at his home, she witnessed various drug deals. She also reported seeing more than 15 guns in the residence and a lockbox under a couch that contained narcotics. The passenger did not receive any charges.
A search warrant of Puckett’s residence was conducted following the stop. Officers collected a square piece of carpet with blood stains for evidence. The search also revealed a .9 mm revolver, multiple magazines, unspent ammo, .9mm, .38 cal, and .223 casings, and additional drug paraphernalia.
In the bedroom at the residence, officers found a black backpack containing a rolled-up dollar bill and a piece of paper that tested positive for fentanyl. The backpack reportedly belonged to Krysta Graft, 23, Ossian.
Graft was charged with possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Her bond was set at $5,500. Graft is scheduled for a status hearing at 1 p.m. on June 11 in the Wells Superior Court.
Puckett’s bond is set at $125,500. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference in the Wells Circuit Court at 1 p.m. on June 5.
sydney@news-banner.com
