Dubois County: This morning the Indiana State Police conducted a school walkthrough/sweep at Southridge High School in Huntingburg. Officials with the school requested the Indiana State Police K-9’s come do a walk-trough/sweep of the school in hopes to locate any illegal drugs that may be on the school grounds. No illegal drugs were located, but one firearm was.

Trooper Brian Laroche and his K-9 Blackie were conducting open air sniffs around the vehicles in the parking lot of the high school when Blackie alerted on a green 1992 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up. Upon locating the student responsible for the vehicle, the vehicle was opened and although no illegal drugs were located, a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun was located in the center console. The student, Cole W. Meyer, 18, Huntingburg was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Dubois County Jail.

The Indiana State Police would like to remind people that whether you have a firearms permit or not, unless you are a law enforcement officer or you are a person who has been employed or authorized by a school or another person who owns or operates property being used by a school for a school function, it is illegal to possess a firearm in or on school property; in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function; or on a school bus. For complete details on this law please visit: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar47/ch9.html#IC35-47-9-2.

Arrested and Charges:
Cole W. Meyer, 18
203 W 19th Street, Huntingburg
1. Possession of a Firearm on School Property, a Class D Felony

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.