Howie Epstein, bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and singer/songwriter Carlene Carter were arrested last night (June 27) in Albuquerque, N.M., after they were stopped in a stolen vehicle, police said. Carter was driving a sport utility vehicle on Interstate 25 when they were pulled over by Trooper James Bergman for speeding, state police said. Bergman said he checked the vehicle's registration and discovered it was reported stolen in Santa Fe on March 15.

Police said 2.9 grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia were found inside the SUV. According to the criminal complaint, Carter claimed the paraphernalia and heroin were hers and were strictly "for personal use."

Carter, who is the stepdaughter of Johnny Cash and the daughter of June Carter Cash and country singer Carl Smith, said she was heading to the airport to drop off Epstein to board a flight to Pennsylvania. The Heartbreakers are scheduled to play tonight in Scranton, Pa.

The district attorney's office was awaiting a completed case from state police to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, Deputy District Attorney Richard Bowman said. "If so, then the case may be submitted to a grand jury," he said.

Epstein and Carter, both 45, were released this morning after posting bond. An Albuquerque attorney representing them declined to comment.


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