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Son of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett arrested on marijuana charges

Posted at 9:33 AM, Jul 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-07 14:17:07-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- The son of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett was arrested last week on marijuana charges.

William Hogsett, 18, was arrested July 1 at 10:45 p.m., on the 1000 block of W. Old State Road 44. 

He was initially pulled over for crossing over the center lane and failure to use a turn signal while driving with two others in a black Jeep.

During the stop, the officer became aware of the smell of marijuana and suspected impairment. Hogsett told the officer there were no drugs in the vehicle, but wouldn't make eye contact with him. When the officer told him he smelled like marijuana and was showing signs of impairment, he said there were drugs in the vehicle under the floorboard.

Officers uncovered "Dime Bags" in the vehicle that contained the following:

  • A clear glass pipe with black burnt residue
  • A silver metal rod with waxy residue
  • A plastic square container with what officers said was wax marijuana inside
  • Zip lock bag containing marijuana
  • A Butane torch

After failing part of a sobriety test, Hogsett stated to officers that he smoked marijuana that morning, but that he doesn't normally transport marijuana in his vehicle and that they didn't belong to him.

He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.

Mayor Hogsett's office released the following statement:

“Of the many things Joe Hogsett is responsible for, the most important is serving as a father to his family. And as a former prosecutor with a deep respect for the rule of law, he appreciates the seriousness of this matter. Obviously, Joe will continue to spend the coming days with his teenage son as he and his family address this disappointing incident.”

Also arrested were Michael St. John, 18, and Treyton Meal, 19. They were in the car with William and also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

All three were transported to the Rush County Jail for processing.

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