HANCOCK COUNTY — Two individuals, one from Danville and the other from Indianapolis, were arrested on felony drug charges after an Indiana State Police trooper pulled them over for speeding.
Jason B. Easler, 51, of Danville, has been charged with a Level 4 felony for possession of methamphetamine. Katy Marie Whitaker, 35, from Indianapolis, faces a Level 4 felony charge for possession of methamphetamine and a Level 6 felony charge for possession of a narcotic drug in connection with the January 28 incident.
Both individuals had their cases opened in Hancock County Superior Court 1 on Friday, where bond was set at $10,000 for Whitaker and $15,000 for Easler. Court records show that they are scheduled for a pretrial conference in March.
The arrest followed a traffic stop by the trooper who was patrolling eastbound on Interstate 70. The officer observed a silver 2004 Buick Rainier speeding in the center lane. The vehicle then changed lanes, exited to Mt. Comfort, and began driving on the right shoulder. The officer activated emergency lights, and the vehicle pulled over at 2290 N. County Road 600W, near a Circle K Gas Station and McDonald’s.
The trooper noted that Easler was driving, with Whitaker as the passenger. Upon interacting with Easler, the officer observed that his hands were shaking as he retrieved his driver’s license. As a result, Easler was asked to exit the vehicle and sit in the front passenger seat of the trooper’s patrol car.
While speaking with Easler, the officer checked both Easler’s and Whitaker’s records, revealing previous drug-related charges as recent as April 2024. After obtaining Easler’s consent, troopers conducted a search of the vehicle and found a white bag on the floorboard. Inside the bag was a plastic package containing a gray powder, which was suspected to be fentanyl.
Both Easler and Whitaker are now facing charges, with further investigations pending.
