Kentucky man charged with defying coronavirus stay-at-home order. He was in Indiana.
A Kentucky man has been charged with violating Indiana’s stay-at-home order – a preventative measure to stop the spread of coronavirus – after already facing gun and drug charges, according to Indiana State Police.
Indiana State Police announced Tuesday that the Hamilton County prosecutor added a misdemeanor charge for “disobeying a declaration of disaster emergency” against Zachary Peters, 24 of Crestwood Kentucky. With that, Peters faces six charges, according to Indiana State Police:
Peters was stopped by an officer for speeding just after 10:30 p.m. Friday, police said. Trooper Josh Thayer allegedly found marijuana, cocaine, pills, a stolen gun and drug paraphernalia in Peters’ car during the stop.
Peters was arrested and taken to the Hamilton County Jail, according to police.
He initially was charged with cocaine, marijuana, controlled substance and paraphernalia possession and carrying a handgun without a license.
Peters was recorded going 96 mph in a 70 mph zone on Interstate 69 , police said. The Indiana stay-at-home order he was charged with violating took effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 24 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Kentucky has not enforced a stay-at-home policy, but Gov. Andy Beshear asked that Kentucky residents remain “healthy at home” when he closed nonessential businesses.
He also signed an executive order restricting almost all out-of-state travel Monday. He said that residents who travel to other states must self-quarantine for 14 days when they return. Police do have the authority to enforce the executive order, he said.
Exceptions to the out-of-state travel restrictions include work-related travel; buying groceries or other essential items; seeking health care; taking care of a loved one; or complying with a court order.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 10:55 AM.