April 23, 2024

Traffic stop in Dighton results in three arrests

Lane County, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)– The Lane County Sherriff’s Office arrested three individuals after a traffic stop in Dighton Monday night.

At approximately 09:27 PM, Sergeant Orr observed a vehicle driving through the City of Dighton 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, Sergeant 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 39-year old Zachariah M Dittrick of Great Bend, Kansas. Both the Sergeant and Dittrick sustained only 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 methamphetamine in various forms, marijuana and identity documents belonging to two different people not known to any of the four occupants.
 
Thirty seven-year old Shawn Lee Colton of Great Bend, Kansas, 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.
Zachariah M. Dittrick, 39, of Great Bend, Kansas, was arrested and lodged in the Scott County Jail for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Battery LEO, and Interference w/LEO.
 
Forty one-year old Clayton Lawrence Hines of Great Bend, Kansas, 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, Kansas, 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 County Attorney for prosecution. The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.*