HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. — A New Palestine woman has been arrested for dealing methamphetamine.
According to court documents filed last week, 37-year-old Amanda Lynne Bennett was taken into custody by police on Feb. 23. Police were initially made aware of Bennett’s activity by a driver complaint in Hancock County.
Police were dispatched to the area of State Street and Interstate 70 on a report of a driver who had crossed over a double yellow line and was speeding. Eventually, the driver was tracked to a dead end on Fields Boulevard.
Per court documents, when officers made it to Fields Boulevard, they talked to a person in a vehicle that was facing southbound toward New Road. The person claimed to be the caller.
The caller told police an erratic driver had crossed “clean over” the yellow line on State Road 9 and almost hit an oncoming car head-on.
After speaking with the caller, police located a parked green van that matched the description of the vehicle the erratic driver was piloting. Court documents indicate police made contact with the driver of the van, who was later identified as Bennett.
Police reporting on the encounter indicates Bennett looked nervous and her voice was shaky as she spoke with investigators. Officers also observed Bennett leaning heavily toward the steering wheel as they spoke with her, per court docs.
When police asked Bennett if there was any reason she was leaning so heavily toward the steering wheel, she told them she had a long day. Court documents report Bennett then put both her hands between her legs.
Police then ordered Bennett to put her hands on the steering wheel. After she did so, officers observed a silver bag between her legs.
Court documents indicate police later saw other plastic baggies in Bennett’s vehicle. Police reported that Bennett attempted to grab the baggies and stuff them in the silver bag while officers were speaking with her.
Investigators later determined multiple vials, some loose baggies and a digital scale were found in Bennett’s vehicle. Court documents report Bennett passed out multiple times while in police custody.
Bennett was transported to a local hospital. After she was cleared by hospital staff, she was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Bennett now faces two felony charges — dealing in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.
Dealing in methamphetamine is a Level 2 Felony in Indiana. The maximum penalty for a Level 2 Felony in the Hoosier State is a 30-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.
