On July 24, 2019, Deputies initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Andrew Johnson, age 41, of Austin. Johnson was arrested for OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED REFUSAL and DOMESTIC BATTERY.

On July 24, 2019, Deputy Josh Watterson initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Simon Burns, age 32, of Scottsburg and four juvenile occupants.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Watterson noticed the odor of marijuana.

Burns admitting to having in his possession marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Deputy Watterson looked inside the vehicle where he discovered a green leafy like substance and paraphernalia.

Deputy Johnny Coomer assisted in the traffic stop and discovered juvenile occupants had paraphernalia on their persons. Burns was arrested and charged with POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, and CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

Juveniles involved were released to parents and the report was transferred to juvenile probation.

On July 24, 2019, Deputies received an anonymous tip that Willam Neace had an active warrant for his arrest and given the location of his whereabouts.

Deputy Joe Baker and Deputy Darin Marshall initiated a traffic stop and drivers were identified as William Neace, age 33, of Austin.

Neace was arrested on an active warrant for FAILURE TO COMPLY and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 24, 2019, Captain Joe Guarneri arrested Paul Cox on an active warrant for WRIT OF ATTACHMENT.

On July 25, 2019, Deputies stopped to assist a disabled motorist.

The motorist, identified as Melissa McTier, age 34, of French Lick, began acting strangely.

Deputies ran McTier’s information and received a hit confirmation that she had two active warrants out of two separate counties.

McTier was arrested for OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT(S) and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 22^nd, after investigating a tip of the sale and distribution of methamphetamine on “M” Street involving David Smith, 44 of Bedford, Detectives with the Indiana State Police DES established probable cause for obtaining a search warrant for the residence. DES Detectives, along with Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Caleb Garvin, executed the search warrant that same afternoon.

Upon entry into the residence, troopers observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view.  They also located Smith, Kelby Root 31, of Bedford, Durant Hillenburg, 33 of Bedford and Shelby Horton, 25 also of Bedford. 

Two children lived in the residence as well – an 11 year old and a 2 year old.

During the search, troopers located methamphetamine with the drug paraphernalia, along with other evidence of dealing. Interviews were conducted with all of the adults at the residence. 

The Department of Children Services responded to the scene and removed the children from the home.

The investigation resulted in the following arrests:

David Smith

1. Dealing Methamphetamine with a Prior Conviction, Level 4 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine Under 5 Grams with a Prior Conviction, Level 5 Felony
3. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
4. Habitual Violator

Kelby Root

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
3. Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony

Durant Hillenburg

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

Shelby Horton

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State PoliceBloomington Post at 812-332-4411.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

On July 24 at approximately 10:10 p.m. on SR 63 near Baltimore Hill Road (that is about three miles north of the SR 63/US 136 intersection), a trooper stopped a car for a traffic violation and located over five pounds of marijuana in the trunk.

Trooper Tyler Turchi was sitting in a cross over on SR 63 when he observed a vehicle approaching him northbound appearing to be well over the speed limit. 

The trooper confirmed the excess speed with his RADAR device and stopped the red 2013 Chrysler and approached the passenger window. 

The driver handed Trooper Turchi her license and registration.  Trooper Turchi detected a smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

After returning to his state police car, he requested assistance from Warren County Deputy Bryant Pearman, who was patrolling nearby. 

After the Deputy’s arrival, a search was conducted and over five and one half pounds of marijuana was located in the trunk of the vehicle.

The back seat passenger, Keyon Carter, 30 of Danville, IL advised the marijuana belonged to him. 

He was taken into custody and arrested for;

• Dealing in a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony

Carter was lodged in the Warren County Jail.  The driver and the other front seat passenger were not charged and released.  The investigation is continuing.

Assisting at the scene was ISP Trooper Kyle Killin.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.