On 12/24/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joseph D. Scales, age 46, of Washington, Indiana for Possession of Methamphetamine following an incident in the roadway of 13th & Cherry Street. Police were called to the area due to a silver Chevy being stopped in the roadway, the vehicle still running and in gear, with the driver appearing to be asleep with his foot on the brake. Once on scene, officers contacted the above defendant/driver and had him place the vehicle in park. As Scales attempted to gather his registration and insurance, he began moving items around to conceal something. Officers had Scales exit the vehicle and found the cover to a set of digital scales and a large amount of a crystallized substance inside a cup. The officers also found spoons and elastic bands that are commonly used to ingest narcotics intravenously. Furthermore, officers recovered multiple bottles of suspected urine which is commonly utilized to defraud drug screenings. Scales was placed under arrest at this time and transported to the Wabash County Jail. The crystallized substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and had an approximate weight of just over 200 grams.
On 12/27/22, a search warrant was prepared by State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and granted by Judge Michael Valentine for the further examination of Scales’ vehicle that had been secured in impound. Officers from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force were able to recover approximately 70 grams of suspected crack cocaine that was concealed in a hidden compartment within the vehicle. Hypodermic syringes, a set of digital scales, and a liquefied substance in a vial were also recovered.
Scales is being held at the Wabash County Jail on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Cocaine. Scales has a $75,000 cash bond and more charges are anticipated. MCPD was assisted by the Illinois State Police on the initial incident as well.
Police chief Mike McWilliams talked about the the bust at Tuesday’s city council meeting….
