A Leitchfield man with felony arrest warrants out of Grayson and Daviess counties has been captured following a traffic stop.
Sunday night at approximately 11:10, Leitchfield Officer Ty Whitaker conducted a traffic stop on East Main Street on a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt for an equipment violation.
As Whitaker initiated the stop, the driver, 23-year-old Ralph D. Meridith, switched places with his female passenger, according to the arrest citation. Upon Whitaker and Officer Taylor Wright making contact with Meridith, the suspect gave police false identifying information.
Whitaker, though, had prior “interactions” with Meridith and knew the suspect was not being truthful.
After receiving official confirmation from Central Dispatch that Meridith was lying about his identity, officers discovered Meridith’s driver’s license expired over two years ago, the citation states.
Further investigation showed Meridith had multiple warrants for his arrest: Out of Grayson County he was wanted for possession of a controlled substance (heroin), and out of Daviess County Meridith was sought for first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault (dating violence).
Meridith was arrested and served with the warrants and additionally charged with giving an officer false identifying information, license to be in possession, driving on an expired license, changing drivers (car in motion, reckless driving), and failure to wear a seat belt along with a non-moving violation.
He was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.
Grayson County Deputies Sean Fentress and Andy Cast assisted at the scene until they were dispatched to other calls.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
