A Jennings County man is facing drug and gun charges after a Friday night traffic stop. Sgt. Andrew Richmond, spokesman for the North Vernon Police Dept., says that Officer Kyle Hall initiated a traffic stop on a pick up truck on North State Street just after 9:30 p.m.

During the traffic stop, Officer Hall requested the assistance of Jennings County Sheriff’s Sgt. Allen Ritchie and his K9 partner Vampir. Authorities say that Vampir was alerted to the odor of an illegal drug inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in officers finding approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine, a .308 hand gun, one set of digital scales and a methamphetamine smoking device. Police say that the driver, 21-year-old Luke A. Bathory, of Paris Crossing, was found to have a 9mm hand gun on his person.

Bathory was arrested on preliminary charges of:

– Dealing in methamphetamine Level 3 felony
– Possession of methamphetamine Level 6 felony
– Possession of paraphernalia A misdemeanor
– Carrying a hand gun without a license A misdemeanor