Traffic stop leads to arrest of violent felon in LaPorte

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- A deputy with the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office initiated a traffic stop on Saturday that led to the arrest of a serious violent felon.

Around 9:55 a.m. on Saturday, a deputy was traveling west on the Indiana Toll Road and noticed a silver vehicle headed in the opposite direction at a high rate of speed, according to officials.

The deputy made a u-turn, caught up to the suspected vehicle, which was allegedly traveling at speeds of around 95 miles-per-hour, and made a traffic stop.

The driver of the suspected vehicle was identified as Devonce Whitesides, a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Probable cause was established during the vehicle search and when a second deputy arrived to assist, officials discovered a 9mm KEL-TEC PF-9 pistol concealed inside the vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

Whitesides was put under arrest and taken to the La Porte County Jail, where he's being held for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.

He's currently being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond through the La Porte County Circuit Court.