60 Grams of Methamphetamine Seized Following Traffic Stop In Charlestown

Both Gater and Shackleford had firearms in their possession.

Dustin Shackleford, Lara Gater. Photos Provided.

(Charlestown, Ind.) – A traffic stop that took place on Thursday, February 18 ended with the arrest of both the driver and the passenger on drug and weapons charges.  

Around 3:45 p.m., Trooper Clay Boley stopped a driver for failing to signal and having an obscured license plate. After stopping the vehicle, Trooper Boley learned that the driver 39-year-old Dustin Todd Shackleford, of Henryville was wanted out of Clark County for an Invasion of Privacy charge.

As Shackelford was detained, Trooper Boley also learned of a firearm in Schacklefords’ backpack.

As a result of the investigation, Trooper Boley conducted a vehicle search where he located over 60 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the purse belonging to the passenger. As a result, Trooper Boley arrested 31-year-old Lara Lee Gater, of New Albany.

Digital scales, pills, unused plastic bags, and paraphernalia were also located. Both Gater and Shackleford had firearms in their possession.

Lara Gater was arrested on the alleged charges of dealing in methamphetamine over 10 grams with a firearm (level 2 felony), possession of methamphetamine (level 3 felony), possession of a legend drug (level 6 felony), possession of marijuana (b misdemeanor), possession of paraphernalia (c misdemeanor).

Dustin Shackleford was arrested on the alleged charges of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon (level 5 felony), possession of methamphetamine (level 6 felony), possession of marijuana (b misdemeanor), possession of paraphernalia (c misdemeanor), and warrant service: invasion of privacy (a misdemeanor).