Poor Job of Air Conditioner Unit Hauling Leads to Traffic Stop, Resulting In Drug Arrests

Michael Basham (37) Smiths Grove, Natasha Crowder (40) Park City, David C. Mize (30) Mammoth Cave.

Darren Doyle, story:
Three individuals were arrested and face multiple charges after a traffic stop on Friday afternoon.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, a 2001 Honda Civic was spotted on Nolin Dam Road with a window unit air conditioner tied to its roof on Friday, July 28th at 3:21PM. A deputy said the air conditioner was poorly secured and very loose. Upon further investigation, the license plate was expired, no one was wearing seat belts, and a passenger was sitting between two bucket seats, which prompted law enforcement to initiate a traffic stop, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said consent to search the vehicle was given and a small bag of what appeared to be meth was found in the vehicle. Neither the driver, identified as Michael Basham (37) of Smiths Grove, passenger Natasha Crowder, (40) of Park City, nor passenger David Mize (30) of Mammoth Cave claimed ownership of the substance, according to the Sheriff's Office, and all three were arrested. Crowder allegedly had a meth pipe on her person, according to the Sheriff's Office. 

All three were arrested and individually charged:

• Basham: Possession of controlled substance, first degree (meth), Drug paraphernalia-buy/possess, Violation of conditions release
• Crowder: Possession of controlled substance, first degree (meth), Drug paraphernalia-buy/possess, Violation of conditions release, Tampering with physical evidence
• Mize: Possession of controlled substance, first degree (meth), Drug paraphernalia-buy/possess, Tampering with physical evidence, Failure to wear seat belts.

All three were lodged in the Hart County Jail.