A routine traffic stop for minor infractions on Interstate 65 led to the arrest of a man for narcotics charges following the identification of the odor of marijuana.
On Aug. 15, around 8:30 p.m., a deputy with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Intelligence Unit reportedly observed a vehicle traveling north on Interstate 65 at a high rate of speed before the vehicle slowed down abruptly while changing lanes without signaling in an attempt to avoid the deputy.
The deputy was reportedly stationary in the median of Interstate 65 when the vehicle passed him and began to leave the median and pursue the vehicle immediately following the observation. The deputy reached the position of the vehicle in question, identifying it as a black four door sedan adorned with a temporary license plate, reports show.
The deputy reported that a traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle for minor traffic infractions, but when the deputy approached the vehicle, the odor of marijuana from within the vehicle was identified when speaking with the driver, who was later identified as Richard McKee.
When the deputy reportedly identified the smell of marijuana, a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, leading to the deputy locating approximately 8.71 pounds of oxycodone pills believed to contain fentanyl, approximately 1.5 pounds of marijuana, a large sum of US currency and counterfeit money.
McKee was booked into the Boone County Jail with preliminary charges of dealing in a narcotic drug, Level 2 Felony, counterfeiting, Level 6 Felony, dealing in marijuana, Level 6 Felony, and possession of marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor.
The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office will be tasked with filing official charges for the incident.
The department issued a reminder that all parties involved in the incident are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
