From the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
On 01/23/2023 at approximately 3:04 AM Deputy Dylan Prather was conducting traffic enforcement in
the area of the 72.5 mile marker of Interstate 65 when he observed a silver passenger car with an
inoperable headlight. Deputy Prather assisted by Deputy Anthony Bagby conducted a traffic stop based
on the equipment violation.
Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle later identified as Kyle Wright, 24 of Indianapolis,
deputies smelled the odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle. As Deputy Prather continued
to speak with Wright he also observed a green leafy substance suspected of being marijuana inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle. Wright also told deputies that there was a handgun inside the
vehicle in between the driver’s seat and center console.
After receiving this information deputies removed Wright from the vehicle and detained him while a
search a vehicle was conducted. During the search deputies located a loaded Taurus 40 caliber semi-
automatic handgun within reach of the driver’s seat which was confiscated. Deputies also located a
small amount of suspected marijuana.
Wright was later found to have a prior felony conviction for intimidation out of Hendricks County in
2022 for which he was still on probation. As the investigation continued Wright told deputies that he
was aware that he was not supposed to be possessing the firearm due to the conviction however he had
the firearm due to a recent road rage incident.
Wright was arrested om allegations of being a felon in possession of a firearm level 5 felony and possession of marijuana a B – Misdemeanor. Wright is currently incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Bartholomew County Sheriff Christopher Lane, “I want to praise deputies for locating a firearm carried
by a felon that is now off the street. It is becoming more common for my deputies to located firearms
being carried by convicted felons or people in possession of narcotics.”
Road Commander Lt. TA Smith also praised deputies saying, “This arrest from routine traffic
enforcement shows the dangers faced by our deputies on a daily basis. Deputies quick observations and
actions allowed for positive outcome for both the deputies and Mr. Wright.”
