On September 2, 2025, at 3:12 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2006 Toyota Camry after observing a moving violation on US 41 near County Road 1200 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Powell identified the driver as 40-year-old Jose Espinoza of Evansville. During a roadside investigation Deputy Powell ran Mr. Espinoza through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and discovered that the driver had never obtained a valid Indiana driver’s license. At that point Deputy Powell placed Mr. Espinoza into custody and in preparation for the vehicle to be towed an inventory of the vehicle was conducted. During the inventory pills were located that tested positive for Methamphetamines and Fentanyl. Once the vehicle had been inventoried and towed from the scene Mr. Espinoza was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operator Never Licensed and Possession of Fentanyl.
Deputy Wes Baumgart and Haubstadt Town Marshal Jason Wright assisted Deputy Powell in his investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
