Police: Woman had meth, pointed gun at another driver

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GREENFIELD — A Greenfield woman who pointed a handgun at another driver during a road-rage incident was stopped minutes later by police who found the weapon and methamphetamine in her car, records state.

Cathy R. Plumlee, 43, 2182 E. County Road 500S, now faces five felony charges, including allegations she couldn’t legally possess the gun because she is a convicted felon. She also is charged with criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, possession of narcotics and possession of methamphetamine. A misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance also was filed against Plumlee, charging documents state.

Plumlee was arrested Monday afternoon after a driver on U.S. 40 flagged down a passing sheriff’s deputy to report another driver had raised a gun and aimed it at him.

Deputy Paul Whittington was eastbound in the 2300 block of U.S. 40 West around 2:30 p.m. when he spotted a mini van approaching from behind, flashing its lights. Whittington slowed to speak to the driver, who pointed the officer to another car, records state.

The man who signaled Whittington said the driver of that car, later identified as Plumlee, had pulled out a gun and pointed it at him after he tried to pass her on the highway.

The man described Plumlee’s car, which Whittington saw minutes later and pulled over in the 1800 block of U.S. 40 in Greenfield.

Whittington ordered Plumlee at gunpoint to get out of the car and walk backward toward his squad car with her hands raised. Plumlee got out but at first refused to move from the side of her car, according to Whittington’s police report.

Plumlee finally obeyed and, after being placed in handcuffs, told the deputy the other driver was threatening her, had flipped her off and slammed on his brakes, prompting her to pull out the gun, the report states.

Three additional officers arrived on the scene to assist, and two of them worked together to search Plumlee’s car. Inside, they found a .357-caliber Magnum handgun, as well as a variety of unmarked prescription pill bottles and a baggie Plumlee admitted to the officers contained meth, charging documents state.

The pills investigators found in the unmarked bottles contained a handful of painkillers and anti-anxiety medication, court records state.

Plumlee was arrested at the scene.

The narcotics possession charge she faces is classified as a Level 3 felony, which carries a penalty range of three to 16 years and up to $10,000 in fines.

Charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a handgun by a felon filed in the case are Level 5 felonies, carrying a penalty range of one to six years and up to $10,000 in fines.

The charges of criminal reckless and pointing a firearm filed against Plumlee are Level 6 felonies, which carry a penalty of six months to two-and-a-half years and up to $10,000 in fines.

The misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substances could add up to a year and $5,000 in additional fines.

Plumlee returns to Hancock Superior Court 1 Dec. 20.