K-9 unit already showing stuff

Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Jacob Rawlings

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office doesn't really have a K-9 program -- yet.

The sheriff's department does have a dog and handler in training and that training apparently paid off Thursday when Karma, the young German shepherd in training, allegedly located some methamphetamine in the backpack of a man on the Square during Bushwhacker Days, Sheriff Jason Mosher said,

As a result, deputies arrested Jacob T. Rawlings, 21, of Nevada and have charged him with possession of a controlled substance.

Submitted photos Karma, a German Shepard police dog in training, takes a breather with Vernon County Detention Officer Bread Keithly.

Mosher said Deputy Michael Hicks was working an extra detail walking patrol on the Square for Bushwhacker Days when he noticed a individual he thought was trying to avoid him. The man kept moving and at one point, Mosher said, was almost running from Hicks and Detention Officer Brad Keithly and drug dog in training, Karma.

Deputies finally caught up to Rawlings and while questioning him, Karma, "alerted" on the bag the man was carrying. The deputies asked to search the backpack. Mosher said, alleging Rawlings finally dropped his head and gave permission for the search.

Mosher said Rawlings began taking things from the bag and when he pulled out a "big knife" deputies quickly took it from him, arrested and handcuffed him. Searching the bag further, they found syringes with a substance in them that field tested positive for methamphetamine, the sheriff said.

Mosher said he was glad to see his deputies were alert and pro-active while working the crowd during Bushwhacker Days.

"This should be a place where people can bring their families and have fun" the sheriff said. "People need to know if you bring this stuff down here, you go to jail."

Rawlings has been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently being held in the Vernon County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

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