WICHITA – The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office is still investigating a drug arrest in that county early Friday morning.

It started just before 4 a-m when a Sedgwick County deputy conducted a traffic stop at Central and I-235. The deputy says he smelled a strong chemical odor coming from the driver, Stephen Barnhart. The deputy also alleges he observed items he believes were associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

During the investigation, the deputies determined that Barnhart had a room at the Regency Inn Hotel, and when deputies arrived at the hotel, they claim they could smell a strong chemical odor coming from the room. As a precuation, several rooms in the hotel were evacuated.

The Wichita Police Department Explosive Ordinance Unit responded to both locations and assisted with the investigation. The Wichita Fire Department assisted with the decontamination of Barnhart and his passengers.

The 55-year-old Barnhart of Wichita was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana, posssession of narcotics with intent to sell. Possession of a manufactured controlled substance, and a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case is still being investigated according to Sheriff Department Officials and will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for charges at a later date.