On May 11, 2026, at approximately 11:26 P.M., Officer Hansen of the Austin Police Department was dispatched to the area of 5th Avenue/7th Street NW in the City of Austin, County of Mower, for a report of suspicious activity. The reporting party advised that there was a white truck with possible Iowa plates sitting running and there was a subject walking to the vehicle. Officer Hansen arrived in the area and observed a 2025 Ford F-150 (IA LIC/PYP624) parked in the 700 block of 5th Avenue NW on the south side.
Hansen drove by the vehicle and observed that it was occupied by at least two people. Hansen ran the license plate and learned that the vehicle registered to a “Ean Holdings LLC,” a rental company. Hansen parked behind the vehicle and noted the vehicle was still running. Hansen exited his squad and approached the vehicle. Officer Hansen contacted the driver, James Paul Hutchinson, DOB/042882, and advised him of the complaint. While speaking with Hutchinson, Hansen noticed he was exhibiting multiple signs of impairment including slurred and lethargic speech, hand tremors, finger twitching, and dilated pupils.
Hansen asked Hutchinson if he had driven to the location and he stated, “yeah.” Hansen then recognized the front seat passenger as SAMANTHA ROBYN ALLEN HINCHLEY, DOB/060394, the defendant herein. Hansen knew the defendant had an outstanding warrant and confirmed it was a sign and release warrant. After additional investigation, Officer Hansen placed Hutchinson under arrest and located a controlled substance on his person. During the search of the vehicle, Officer Hansen asked the defendant to exit the vehicle.
As she exited, Hansen asked the defendant if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. She advised that there was nothing illegal that she was aware of. Hansen then asked the defendant about the ownership of the belongings in the vehicle. The defendant stated that everything inside the vehicle belonged to Hutchinson except for her purse. Hansen noticed that the defendant then became concerned about taking her purse with her. Hansen advised her the purse would stay in the vehicle until after the search.
Hansen asked the defendant if there was anything illegal in her purse. The defendant stated there was not. During the search, Officer Hansen opened the defendant’s purse and located a square plastic cup that contained a white crystalline substance (later field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 1.02 grams). Also located in the defendant’s purse was a small pink silicone container with a small amount of a white powdery substance (later field tested positive for cocaine) and a green silicone container with a white powdery substance (later field tested positive for cocaine and weighed 1.2 grams). Hansen also located in the defendant’s purse numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia including butane torch lighters, burnt aluminum foil, glass pipes, and a clear plastic baggy with white residue.
