An early-morning traffic stop in Monroe County, Indiana, led to the arrest of a 24-year-old Oaktown man and the discovery of a stolen pickup packed with narcotics and firearms, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies pulled over a red 2005 Ford F-250 around 1:17 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, after noticing it was displaying a license plate reported stolen out of Sullivan County. During the stop, Dawson Kelm, 24, was detained. A firearm was allegedly found on Kelm, and deputies requested a free-air sniff from K-9 Figo, who alerted to the presence of drugs inside the truck.
A subsequent search turned up multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, alprazolam pills, and acetaminophen-hydrochloride pills. Deputies also recovered an additional firearm inside the vehicle.
Kelm was taken into custody on several felony counts, including possession and dealing of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, unlawful carrying of a handgun, identity deception, and driving while suspended. Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations and that Kelm is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Sheriff’s Office commended K-9 Figo and his handler for their work on the stop, noting that the free-air sniff was instrumental in locating the drugs and weapons.
The investigation remains active under the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
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