The White County Sheriff’s Department initiated a traffic stop that resulted in multiple drug charges.
On Thursday, November 18th at 7:55 PM, an Officer was east bound on Stewart Street and Hillsdale when he spotted a gray Pontiac G6 in front of him. The vehicle started to sway back and forth across the center line and continued to do so all the way to Fifth Street where he was crossed over and drove in the left lane while crossing the tracks. The Officer then initiated a traffic stop so the driver then turned onto Fackney Street and came to a stop. The Officer approached the vehicle and spoke with the occupants who identified themselves as 30 year old James E Belka of 903 Steward Street in Carmi and 39 year old Steven Earl Linder of 357 County Road 300 N in Albion.
Linder, the driver of the vehicle, immediately told the Officer that he was swerving to avoid potholes. The Officer asked Linder for his driver’s license and insurance card, in which Linder said he didn’t have his license and the insurance was in his girlfriends name and was on her phone. After Linder provided the Officer with an Illinois ID card, dispatch advised the Officer that his driver’s license was revoked. Linder was then placed under arrest. At this point two other Officers arrived to assist with the traffic stop. The Officer asked Linder if there was anything illegal in the car to which he said yes, there was a baggy of weed in the driver’s visor. The officer located the bag as well as a “roach” cannabis cigarette sitting in plain view on the center console. The Officer also noticed some dime bags, which he knew from experience that meth is often packaged and sold in dime bags. The Officer then had Belka step out of the car. Belka was searched and found to be in possession of rolling papers. A search of the passenger side of the car where Belka was riding, produced more cannabis as well as pipes with cannabis residue in it as well as a pipe with meth residue in it, hidden in a pair of work boots. At that time Belka was placed under arrest. Both individuals claimed to have no knowledge of the glass pipes. Linder claimed the boots belonged to Belka, and Belka said they are not his. A search of the driver’s side was done a second time in which the Officers discovered another meth pipe in a sock between the seat and console. Once a full search of the vehicle took place, the car was then towed from the scene.
Linder and Belka were then transported to the White County Jail.
Linder is being charged with Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Use of Property.
Belka is being charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Use of Property.
