On Wednesday, Aug. 27, a federal grand jury indicted Jeremy Traxler - a man who was arrested in New Bloomfield on drug-related charges on Aug. 11 - for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Don Ledford, public affairs officer with the U.S. Attorney's Office, said this indictment replaces the federal criminal complaint that was filed against Traxler on Aug. 12.
Traxler was arrested on Aug. 11 after the MUSTANG Drug Task Force and Callaway County Sheriff's Office served a narcotics-related search warrant for a residence on the 500 block of Redwood Drive in New Bloomfield. Beau Brinker, Amber Hinton and Traxler were detained at the residence while officers located a small, portable safe in a bedroom, according to a drug enforcement administration affidavit. The affidavit also stated that Traxler had the key that opened the safe on a clip along his waistline.
Inside the safe was about 56 net grams of methamphetamine, according to authorities. Traxler said he was visiting Brinker and Hinton and brought the safe with him, according to a drug enforcement administration affidavit. Traxler, however, denied knowing the contents of the safe.
The Callaway County Sheriff's Office and MUSTANG Drug Task Force seized the methamphetamine found in the safe as well as digital scales and packing material. Officers also seized a 2010 Chevrolet truck and about $2,500, according to a press release from the sheriff's office the week of the arrest. A MUSTANG Drug Task Force ongoing drug investigation led to the narcotics-related search warrant.
District Judge Brian C. Wimes signed an order on Aug. 27 referring Traxler's case to Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth, according to pacer - a resource for federal appellate, district, or bankruptcy court records.