Plymouth Police Office makes 2 traffic arrests in under an hour

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

A Plymouth Police officer made two separate traffic-related arrests within an hour of each other on Tuesday evening, according to recent police reports.

The first incident occurred at approximately 6:38 p.m. when Corporal Schieber conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 31 near 9A Road. The vehicle was pulled over after being clocked traveling in excess of 85 mph in a posted 60 mph zone.

Police identified the driver as 41-year-old Jose A. Chagala-Mixtega of London, Kentucky. During the stop, officers discovered that Chagala-Mixtega had never been issued a driver’s license. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Marshall County Jail on a charge of operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.

Less than an hour later, Officer Schieber initiated a second traffic stop at the intersection of Western Avenue and Skylane Drive. The stop was conducted after a license plate check indicated that the vehicle's registered owner had a suspended driving status.

The driver, identified as 42-year-old Derek Birchmeier of Lake Avenue in Plymouth, was arrested for driving while suspended with a prior conviction. He was also transported and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.