Newton Police Department
• William S. Montgomery, 56, of Colfax, is charged with following too close after authorities were called to the 800 block of First Avenue at 6:50 p.m. Thursday. Montgomery was traveling west on First Avenue when William F. Vernon slowed down to turn in front of Montgomery. Montgomery attempted to stop but said he slid and hit the rear of Vernon’s vehicle. Vernon had $3,000 in damage while Montgomery had $1,000. He was cited and released to appear.
• Randy L. Stephen, 51, of Newton, is charged with driving while license suspended after authorities pulled him over in the 100 block of S. Fifth Ave. E. at 11:50 p.m. Saturday. Officers pulled him for an expired registration and he was also found to be under suspension. He was cited and released to appear.
Jasper County Sheriff
• Michael J. Gorsuch, 38, of Kellogg, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities pulled him over in the 1900 block of North 11th Avenue East at 4:15 a.m. Monday. During the traffic stop, a known drug user was also in the car and authorities asked Gorsuch if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Gorsuch said there was a smoking pipe used for meth and officers found it had a white substance in it. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Scott W. Cupples, 28, of Newton, is charged with harassment of public official or employee, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities pulled him over in the 1900 block of North 11th Avenue East at 4:15 a.m. Monday. Cupples, who was a passenger in the vehicle, gave a false identification but was later identified and arrested on active warrants. While searching the vehicle, officers found four syringes, Q-tips, filters, a glass meth smoking pipe and a plastic baggie with meth in it in a black bag. Cupples said that the bag belonged to him. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.