Fire department captain accused of destroying drug evidence found in relative's truck

A Sheridan Fire Department captain is accused of destroying narcotics evidence found in the truck of a relative that was involved in a crash, police said.

Hamilton County Sheriff Office's deputies responded to Ind. 38 at Six Points Road near Sheridan on a report of a single-vehicle crash shortly before 5 p.m. Jan. 31.

The driver of the white Chevrolet Silverado truck, identified as Joshua Stoops, 37, Sheridan, told investigators that he fell asleep at the wheel. Witnesses told police the truck was westbound on Ind. 38 before drifting to the south side of the road where it left the pavement and eventually struck a utility pole.

A passenger in the truck, police said, was taken to an area hospital complaining of hip pain.

Deputies investigating the crash later learned that Sheridan Fire Captain Travis William Stern, 37, Sheridan, took narcotic evidence from Stoops' truck and destroyed it.

According to officials, Stern is related to Stoops, police said.

Stern has been preliminarily charged with official misconduct and obstruction of justice. He is being held at the Hamilton County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Sheridan Fire Department officials declined to comment on Stern's employment status.

Call IndyStar reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317 and on Snapchat: @michael389.