Syringes found under child’s seat during traffic stop

Brian Gabbard. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

An Edinburgh man is being accused of a slew of charges after a traffic stop revealed syringes in his vehicle, including under the seat where a child was sitting.

Columbus Police report that they pulled over a vehicle being driven by 54 year old Brian K. Gabbard because of an obscured license plate and making a turn without a signal at about 12:50 a.m. Sunday morning near 25th Street and Fairlawn Drive.

Police say that Gabbard at first gave a fake name and it turned out that his license was permanently suspended for being a habitual traffic violator. He also had two outstanding Bartholomew County warrants. As he was being searched before being arrested, police found a syringe in his pocket says Sgt. Alyson M. Rech, spokeswoman for the police department.

A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed several more syringes, a digital scale, marijuana grinder and glass smoking pipes with drug residue.

He was arrested and the child was released to relatives.

Gabbard is facing charges including:

  • Bartholomew County Warrant
  • Body Attachment Warrant
  • Operating a Vehicle after a Lifetime Suspension: Level 5 Felony
  • Possession of Methamphetamine: Level 6 Felony
  • Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device: Level 6 Felony
  • Neglect of a Dependent: Level 6 Felony
  • Possession of Paraphernalia: Class C Misdemeanor
  • False Informing: Class B Misdemeanor