NEW CASTLE, Ind. — A New Castle man was arrested on meth-dealing charges after he failed to convince authorities he was a CIA agent.

New Castle police encountered Robert Lee Robinson, 34, early Wednesday at an eastside convenience store, where he was reportedly quarreling with employees and refusing to leave.

An officer said he searched a "very clearly intoxicated" Robinson — described as both "jittery and nervous" — and determined he was carrying a loaded handgun.

While authorities learned Robinson had no permit to carry the firearm, the New Castle man told officers he could "have the gun because I'm one of you."

"I'm CIA," Robinson continued. "I can have a gun."

The gun's serial number had been scratched off.

►JUST $1 FOR 3 MONTHS: Click to subscribe to The Star Press at this special rate

Authorities also determined Robinson had in his possession small plastic bags containing a total of nearly 12 grams of meth.

The New Castle man maintained the bags of meth were his "government prescriptions."

He told officers the meth was "the same stuff you guys use since I'm in the CIA."

Robinson was also asked about a recent house fire he had been linked to. He said it had been the result of him having too many space heaters plugged in.

Firearms were also found at that scene, and he told officers they were "my guns and that they follow me everywhere I go."

Robinson — ordered to never return to the convenience store — was taken to Henry County Hospital for an exam "due to him not making sense."

He was later delivered to the Henry County jail. Prosecutor Joe Bergacs' office charged him with dealing in meth, possession of an altered handgun, carrying a handgun without a license and public intoxication.

Robinson's trial is set for June 11 in Henry Circuit Court 1. The dealing charge is a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

He remained in the jail on Saturday under a $32,500 surety bond and $3,200 cash bond.

RELATED:

►Three Muncie police officers arrested by feds in excessive force probe

►Muncie man arrested in child porn investigation

Robinson is also set to stand trial April 27, in Henry Circuit Court 2, on a possession-of-meth charge filed in January.

His criminal record includes convictions for attempted robbery, battery against a public safety official, possession of precursors and reckless driving.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.