Broken taillights lead to drug arrest for Terre Haute man

ISP photo of items found

Whitesides/Vigo Co. Jail

​A Terre Haute man was arrested onl drug-related charges after a trooper stopped him at a northside intersection for defective taillights last night.

Devonce O. Whitesides, 22, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just after 11:30 p.m. Whitesides was preliminarily charged with possession of a handgun without a permit; possession of marijuana; possession of paraphernalia, open container violation; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  

According to ISP Sgt. Joe Watts, Trooper Ian Portteus stopped the blue Chevrolet Impala near North 22nd and Liberty streets at about 10:30 p.m. because the car lacked functioning taillights.

As Trooper Portteus approached the two occupants, he reportedly noticed possible criminal indicators and a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Trooper Nicole Cheeks and officers from the Terre Haute Police arrived to assist Portteus at the scene. 

"​A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded trace amounts of marijuana throughout the interior, open containers of alcohol, scales with alleged marijuana residue, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun," Watts said, adding, "During his in-processing, approximately 30 grams of marijuana was found inside his under-clothing."

Whitesides 17-year-old juvenile male passenger was not charged and released from the scene.