EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A traffic stop on Highway 41 Tuesday afternoon led to the arrest of two individuals, one a convicted drug dealer, after police found them in possession of a variety of drugs and a firearm.
According to the Evansville Police Department (EPD), the incident began when officers observed a vehicle passing other drivers on the shoulder of the highway, narrowly avoiding an accident. The vehicle was pulled over near Lincoln Avenue, where the driver, Amber Woody, claimed she was working as an Uber driver. She also informed officers that she had been stopped earlier in the day for speeding.
In the passenger seat was Edward Sharp, a man with two prior convictions for dealing methamphetamine. Sharp, who had recently been released from prison, was also on parole and considered a serious violent felon by authorities.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered a backpack positioned between Sharp’s legs. Inside the backpack, they found several illegal items, including marijuana, synthetic marijuana, fentanyl, plastic baggies, and approximately $1,700 in cash. They also recovered a glass pipe and Narcan, a medication often used to reverse opioid overdoses. Underneath Sharp’s seat, a firearm was located.
As detectives continued their investigation, Woody, who was speaking with them separately, admitted to having drugs on her person. She then voluntarily removed a bag of cocaine from her pants. Further questioning revealed that Sharp had given the drugs to Woody to hide for him.
Sharp, during his interview with police, acknowledged placing the gun under the seat after a prior stop earlier that day. He also confessed that he planned to sell the drugs found in the backpack and intended to use the drugs on Woody.
Sharp was arrested and now faces multiple charges, including drug dealing, drug possession, and a firearms charge. Woody was also taken into custody and is facing charges related to cocaine and methamphetamine possession. Both individuals were booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
This incident highlights ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the Evansville area.
