On 4/09/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jessica L. Kramer, age 38, of Fort Branch, Indiana for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Other Drugs, Intoxicating Compounds and Possession of Methamphetamine. Police also arrested Anthony E. Gehring, age 47, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Property following a traffic stop on a 2015 Dodge in the 1500 block of West 9th Street. The stop was a result of a complaint regarding the theft of two lawn chairs from the West 9th Street Dollar General Store. During the investigation, Ofc. Hopper and K-9 Eleven arrived and conducted a free air narcotic sniff around the exterior of the Dodge with Eleven alerting to the presence of narcotics.
As one officer spoke to the driver, Kramer, he noted her behavior was indicative of methamphetamine use. Consequently, the officer requested Kramer submit to a roadside sobriety check. Kramer agreed to testing and showed several clues to indicate impairment. During this same time, officers requested the passenger, Gehring, step out of the vehicle so a vehicle search could be conducted. The search led to officers finding suspected methamphetamine in various containers along with other drug related items. Kramer was processed for DUI at an area hospital and taken, along with Gehring, to the Wabash County Jail for further processing.
During this time, officers located a stolen driver’s license and social security card that belonged to an Evansville, Indiana resident on Gehring, resulting in the additional charge of Possession of Stolen Property. Dollar General staff elected not to pursue charges for the chairs due to the other pending charges. Both were later released on Notices to Appear.