Traffic Stop on I-65 Leads to Cocaine and Meth Dealing Charges for Illinois Man
Jasper County- An Illinois man was charged after a Thursday morning traffic stop on I-65 near the 225-mile marker led to the seizure of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, according to court records.
Around 10:41 a.m. (CST) on October 9, a 2022 Toyota 4Runner with Illinois registration was stopped by the Indiana State Police after unsafe lane movement and following too closely. The driver allegedly took an extended amount of time to pull over and occupants were observed moving around inside the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Einar Yahel Medina-Perez, 31, of Elgin, Illinois. While seated in the police vehicle, Medina-Perez appeared extremely nervous, had trouble answering simple questions, and said they were traveling to a festival in Virginia. When asked if there was anything concerning inside the vehicle, Medina-Perez hesitated. After the trooper explained the delayed stop, movement in the vehicle, and his nervous behavior, Medina-Perez admitted he was hiding a bag of ketamine behind the front passenger seat, according to the affidavit.
A male front-seat passenger and a female passenger stated they had no drugs in the vehicle and identified which bags were theirs. A free-air sniff by certified police K9 Kai alerted to the odor of illegal drugs inside the vehicle, leading to a search.
Investigators found a bag of cocaine in a bag containing food on the right rear passenger side and capsules with a brown rock-like substance under the front passenger seat. In the rear hatch, multiple duffel bags, a suitcase, and a black backpack claimed by Medina-Perez were found.
Inside a Pelican-style case in the backpack, investigators located a large amount of cocaine, a bag of methamphetamine, a larger bag of an unknown crystallized substance, and packaging materials including a scale and baggies used to distribute cocaine in smaller amounts. Medina-Perez stated the Pelican case wasn’t his but admitted the backpack was.
At the Indiana State Police Lowell District, field tests showed the large bag of cocaine weighed approximately 27.2 grams, the small bag of cocaine approximately 3.1 grams, and the methamphetamine approximately 6.1 grams. The unknown substance weighed about 25.0 grams, with lab results pending. Medina-Perez was transported to the Jasper County Jail. The passengers were released at the scene with the vehicle.
Charges filed October 10,2025:
• Dealing in Cocaine; Possession with Intent, more than 10 grams — Level 2 Felony
• Dealing in Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent, between 5 and 10 grams — Level 3 Felony
