A Casey County man was arrested on DUI charges following a traffic stop Friday morning.

Around 11am, Casey County Deputy Tyler Luttrell was traveling on KY West 70 when he passed a 2006 Ford Escape and noticed the driver was not wearing a seat belt, he caught up with the vehicle at KY 49. While following the vehicle, Luttrell observed the driver riding the double yellow line on curves. The driver stopped at the intersection of KY 49 and Hilltop Drive.

Deputy Luttrell made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Bo J. East of Liberty, and informed him of the reason for the stop. Bo argued that he had been wearing his seatbelt the whole time but that it was hidden by his hoodie. When asked for ID and vehicle information, Bo suggested Luttrell follow him to his house to get his license.

Bo appeared very nervous, with pin-pointed eyes. Trooper Blaine Sharp with KSP arrived on the scene, and Luttrell asked Bo to step out of the vehicle and perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests. Bo agreed, stating that he uses suboxone and was experiencing withdrawal symptoms as he hadn’t taken anything in three days. Bo initially refused to do balance tests, citing the cold weather and his shakes from withdrawal. 

Bo was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Bo became irate and stated he did not give consent to search the vehicle. Despite his refusal, Luttrell and Trooper Sharp conducted a search and found a baggie of a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth in the center console, along with four needles, two of which were loaded.

Bo claimed the car was shared with three others and that the meth was not his. Bo East was lodged in Casey County Jail on charges of Failure to Wear Seat Belts, Careless Driving, License to be in Possession, DUI-controlled Substance-2nd offense, Possession of Methamphetamine-1st degree, and drug paraphernalia.