Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrests in Bicknell

BICKNELL, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - A traffic stop in Knox County led to the discovery of drugs and the arrest of three individuals.

Around 9:30am Sunday, a Knox County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a 2008 Dodge Ram on State Road 67 near Church Road for speeding.

During the stop, a K9 alerted to the presence of illegal substances in the vehicle.

A search of the truck uncovered two large plastic bags containing a green plant-like material and several smaller bags of the same substance, which later tested positive for marijuana.

Deputies also found scales, empty plastic bags, a pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine, and prescription medication not belonging to the driver.

The driver, 39-year-old Joshua Barmes, was arrested and booked into the Knox County Jail on charges of dealing in marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, and legend drug deception.

Information obtained during the investigation led deputies to request and obtain a search warrant for two home located on Washington Street in Bicknell.

During the searches, deputies reported finding various paraphernalia, two large plastic bags containing about 800 grams of a green plant-like substance, several smaller bags of the same substance, clear baggies, scales, and multiple glass or plastic smoking devices.

Following the searches, 39-year-old Nicole Marie Sloan and 43-year-old Tonya J. Riker were taken into custody and booked into the Knox County Jail on charges of dealing in marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and maintaining a common nuisance.

Sloan also faces additional charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a hypodermic needle.