Jasper man arrested with 6 grams of heroin and more

Jasper police arrested Matthew T. Stephens, 24, of W. 13th St, Jasper, after an off-duty Huntingburg officer allegedly witnessed a hand-to-hand drug transaction Sunday afternoon.

According to police, the transaction took place at the Wendy’s Restaurant in Huntingburg. The off-duty officer reported one of the vehicles involved was a silver Nissan with a Texas license plate that left the parking lot and headed north on U.S. 231.

A Jasper police officer located the 2016 Nissan Versa on the 1100 block of Bartley St. The officer stopped the Nissan at 13th and Maute streets at about 12:15 p.m. after allegedly observing it drive left of center.

During the stop, Jasper K-9 Ares indicated the presence of a controlled substance in the vehicle near the driver’s door and open window where the driver was sitting, according to police.

Officers searched the vehicle and found two pills later identified as hydromorphone and methadone hydrochloride, both Schedule II controlled substances. They also located a set of finger scales.

After the search, officers spoke with Stephens and learned he had concealed heroin in his anus. He recovered two bags containing about 6 grams of heroin and gave them to officers.

Stephens was charged with a Level 6 felony count of dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance, a Level 5 felony count of possession of heroin, two Level 6 felony counts of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Level 6 felony count of possession of paraphernalia and a Level 6 felony count of maintaining a common nuisance.

He was booked into the Dubois County Security Center.