DIGHTON — The Lane County Sheriff’s Office reports three Great Bend men were arrested Monday after a traffic stop in Dighton and a fourth Great Bend man in the same truck may face charges of possession of marijuana.
According to the LCSO report, at approximately 9:27 p.m., Sgt. Orr observed a vehicle driving through town with its high beams activated. The vehicle failed to dim its lights as it passed the Sergeant and a traffic stop was initiated.
Upon approach, Sgt. Orr noticed the vehicle was occupied by four male individuals. While speaking with the driver, the odor of marijuana was discovered coming from inside the truck. There was also a loaded rifle tucked in between the seats, within reach of all four occupants. At this time, Sgt. Orr recognized two of the occupants from a previous law enforcement contact he had earlier in the year which resulted in criminal charges. All four occupants were given lawful orders to exit the truck.
Multiple occupants became argumentative and refused to comply with instructions given to them. A Use of Force incident occurred when the Sergeant attempted to detain a passenger in handcuffs, identified as Zachariah M. Dittrick, 39, out of Great Bend.
Both the Sergeant and Dittrick sustained minor injuries during the incident. As additional Deputies arrived to assist, the other three individuals were also detained without further incident.
Upon further investigation, located inside the vehicle were multiple firearms, various amounts of suspected methamphetamine in various forms, marijuana and identity documents belonging to two different people not known to any of the four occupants.
Shawn Lee Colton, 37, of Great Bend was arrested and lodged in the Scott County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Use of Weapons.
Dittrick was arrested and lodged in the Scott County Jail for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Battery of a law enforcement office, and interference with a law enforcement officer.
Clayton Lawrence Hines, 41, of Great Bend was arrested for Criminal Deprivation of Property, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Jesse James Biggs, 40, of Great Bend, was released on scene with charges being forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office for Possession of Marijuana.
The case will be forwarded to the Lane County Attorney for prosecution. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office notes that the persons involved have not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the persons accused may be found guilty by a court of law.
