A New Franklin man has been charged with a felony for possession of a controlled substance in Howard County.

According to a report from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, deputies approached a vehicle on County Road 342 in Howard County and a man identified as Joshua Gerlach approached their vehicle. Gerlach stated that he had run out of gas and had to walk to his mother’s house to get help.

A deputy observed the license plate number on the vehicle, which was identified belonging to two Blackwater residents. The deputy then observed the back window was shattered on the vehicle. Gerlach stated that the vehicle appeared to have been broken into while he was walking to his mother’s house to get help. While checking the vehicle identification number it was discovered that the vehicle belonged to a Sedalia resident. Gerlach stated that he had not had the vehicle registered yet.

The deputy requested a search of the vehicle, to which Gerlach consented, but wanted to retrieve his backpack first. Deputies informed Gerlach that when asked for consent and an individual wants to retrieve property, it is a sign of something potentially illegal in the vehicle. When asked again Gerlach consented to the search. During the search another deputy discovered a clear plastic baggy containing a white crystal like substance located in the backpack that Gerlach had wanted to remove. Gerlach was asked if the substance would test positive for methamphetamine and he stated that it would. Several items of drug paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle.

The white crystal substance was later tested and found to be methamphetamine.

Court documents say that Gerlach was charged with a felony for possession of a controlled substance.

Bond was set at $10,000 with 10 percent surety authorized. Gerlach posted surety bond on December 21, 2022.

Gerlach has a court appearance scheduled for 9:00 a.m Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Howard County Circuit Court.