Early morning traffic stop leads to arrest of Carthage man on drug charge

HAMILTON, Ill. —  A traffic stop early Wednesday morning led to an arrest of a Carthage man for possession of methamphetamine. 

A deputy with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop at midnight on U.S. 136 at Belmont Drive in Hamilton. The vehicle, stopped for a traffic violation, was a silver 2008 Lincoln. Scot Flora, 53, of Carthage was a passenger. 

The sheriff’s department’s canine was deployed and gave a positive alert. The vehicle was searched. Drug paraphernalia that was located had the presence of methamphetamine. Flora claimed ownership of the paraphernalia and was subsequently arrested. 

The driver of the vehicle received a warning for the traffic violation and was released. Flora was transported to the Hancock County Jail, where he awaits an initial court appearance.