(FREMONT) - A traffic stop Tuesday night near Fremont Community Schools led to felony methamphetamine charges against a Michigan woman.
The Herald Republican reports Indiana State Police Trooper Ryan Parent and K9 partner Bandit stopped 38-year-old Natasha R. Moran-Gainer of Montgomery, Michigan, shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday on State Road 120 at Washington Street in Fremont.
Police said Moran-Gainer was traveling 44 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone on an unmarked dirt bike near the Fremont school complex. She allegedly accelerated and crossed into oncoming traffic after police activated emergency lights before eventually stopping when the siren was activated.
Investigators said Moran-Gainer appeared nervous when questioned about a purse attached to the handlebars. Police also learned she allegedly had an outstanding felony drug warrant.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the K9 alerted to the purse during an open-air sniff. Troopers reportedly found a glass pipe containing residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Moran-Gainer was arrested on preliminary charges including Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine, two counts of failure to appear in court, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal contempt of court.
Investigators later measured the traffic stop location at 297 feet from the school. Under Indiana law, prosecutors can seek enhanced drug charges for arrests made within 500 feet of a school.
If convicted on all charges, Moran-Gainer could face more than four years in prison.