An Indiana man is facing a third-degree felony OVI charge following an early Monday morning traffic stop in Mercer County.

According to a complaint and affidavit filed in Mercer County Common Pleas Court, Casey D. Hargaden of Greensburg, Indiana, is charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them.

Court records say a Mercer County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling northbound on U.S. Route 127 at approximately 12:23 a.m. Monday when a white truck passed southbound.

The deputy reported that the truck did not have a light illuminating the rear license plate. After turning around to follow the vehicle, the deputy said he observed the truck cross the white fog line and come close to the grass.

A traffic stop was then initiated on U.S. 127 near Kremer Hoying Road.

According to the affidavit, the deputy made contact with Hargaden and observed an open bottle of liquor partially concealed under clothing on the passenger seat.

The deputy also reported smelling alcohol on Hargaden’s breath and said Hargaden appeared to have a delayed reaction, stumbled while getting out of the truck and had a red, flushed face.

Court documents state Hargaden declined to participate in field sobriety testing.

A second deputy who arrived at the scene also reported smelling alcohol and said Hargaden appeared confused about where he had been coming from and at one point said he did not know where he was.

Hargaden was taken into custody and charged with OVI.

The charge has been filed as a third-degree felony because court records show Hargaden was previously convicted in 2017 in Morgan County, Indiana, of felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person.

A warrant was issued in the Mercer County case and was served Monday morning. Hargaden was taken to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

Hargaden appeared in Mercer County Common Pleas Court Monday afternoon.

The charge remains pending, and Hargaden is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.