On July 9, 2026, at approximately 10:53 a.m., a Celina Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling on Grand Lake Road near the railroad tracks after observing the vehicle operating without a visible license plate.

During the course of the investigation, the officer located a significant quantity of suspected methamphetamine, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and various items of drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

The driver, Brandon Michael Vede, 42, of Slaughter, Louisiana, was arrested on multiple felony drug-related charges. He is currently being held without bond at the Mercer County Jail pending review by the Mercer County Grand Jury.

Also arrested was the passenger, Kendra Lee Keesler, 31, of Van Wert, Ohio. Keesler was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant issued by the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office and was subsequently transferred to their custody.

The Celina Police Department would like to thank Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor and Mercer County Job and Family Services for their assistance during this investigation.