After a nearly two-week long investigation, Indiana State Police and local law enforcement served a Sullivan County Superior Court search warrant last evening at 468 S. Troll Street in Sullivan.

During the 11:15p.m. search, officers located approximately 175 grams of suspected Methamphetamine and various items of paraphernalia used to ingest and/or distribute Methamphetamine. ISP troopers had received multiple tips and information about alleged illegal drug activity at the residence.  

Arrested were:            

John “Eddie” Ridge, age 49, Sullivan, IN.

• Dealing in methamphetamine L-2 felony
• Possession of methamphetamine L-3 felony
• Maintaining a common nuisance L-6 felony
• Possession of paraphernalia A-mis

  Bond 82,000

Lonnie D. Owen, 52, Sullivan, IN.

• Possession of methamphetamine L-3 felony
• Possession of a syringe L-6 felony
• Visiting a common nuisance A-mis
• Resisting Law Enforcement A-mis

Bond 46,000

Russell L Frakes, 55, Sullivan, IN.

• Possession of methamphetamine L-5
• Possession of paraphernalia A-mis
• Visiting a common nuisance A-mis
• Bond 23,000

Melissa D Brooks, 46, Sullivan, IN.

• Possession of methamphetamine L-5 felony
• Possession of a syringe L-6 felony
• Visiting a common nuisance A-mis

Bond 27,000

Tyler M McGoldric, 25 (London, England)

• Possession of methamphetamine L-6 felony
• Visiting a common nuisance A-mis

Bond 12,000 

The case was investigated by ISP Drug Enforcement Section Investigators, troopers from the Putnamville District All Crimes Policing Team, and Putnamville troopers assigned to Sullivan County. Assisting were Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan Police Department, Sullivan County EMS, and the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Anyone wishing to report suspected Methamphetamine activity can call the Indiana State Police Meth Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Callers can remain anonymous. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, two Columbus, Indiana residents were arrested on numerous charges following a traffic stop in rural Bartholomew County.

The investigation began at approximately 9:00 pm when members of the Indiana State Police-Versailles All Crimes Policing Unit stopped a white Ford Edge on Jonesville Road near Southern Crossing for a traffic violation. 

During the course of the traffic stop, troopers became suspicious of criminal activity taking place. 

Columbus Police Officer Jeremy Jones and his K-9 responded to the scene.  Officer Jones’ K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected methamphetamine, heroin, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen handgun. 

The driver of the vehicle, Jermaine Ford, age 32, was arrested on charges of possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft. 

A passenger in the vehicle, Tkieya Weaver, age 26, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.  She was additionally charged with resisting law enforcement after she resisted arrested when officers attempted to take her into custody.

Both Ford and Weaver were transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where they were incarcerated pending their initial court appearances.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Columbus Police Department.

On February 22, 2018 Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced the promotion of Tim Kendall to the rank of Sergeant to serve as a squad leader in charge of road troopers at the Lafayette Post.  His duties will include the direction of troopers assigned to his squad, evaluating their work performance and post command duties when needed.

Sergeant Kendall is a native of Lafayette, IN and graduated from Lafayette Jeff High School.  He went on to get an Associate’s Degree from Vincennes University, a Bachelor’s Degree from Oakland City University in Oakland City, IN and a Master’s Degree from Indiana Tech in Ft. Wayne.

Sergeant Kendall also served in the US Army for three years before joining the Indiana Army National Guard where he retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant.  While in the guard, he was deployed to Bosnia where he was part of the US Stabilization Force. 

His career with the Indiana State Police started with his appointment in November of 1989.  After graduation form the academy, he was assigned to the Lowell Post for one year and transferred to the Lafayette Post where he worked the road.  While working the road, his duties included Field Training Officer, Meth Suppression Team and the Underwater Search and Rescue Team.  Later, he was assigned to a FBI Safe Streets Task Force that investigated violent street gangs and narcotic activity.  Sergeant Kendall was then laterally promoted to a detective at the post and served in that capacity until this promotion.

Sergeant Kendall lives in Tippecanoe County with his family.

Photo is from left to right is Superintendent Carter, Sergeant Ann Hampton, Major Ed Schroder, Sergeant Tim Kendall Lt. Tom McKee, LT. Colonel Larry Turner and Lt. Delmer Gross.

Wednesday morning, around 7:30 a.m., three warrants were simultaneously served as a result of an ongoing drug investigation. 

A multijurisdictional effort between the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police DES, Indiana State Police ERT, Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Covert Enforcement Unit, Mishawaka Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit, South Bend Police Department, ATF, and DEA resulted in the seizure of drugs, guns, money, and a stolen vehicle. 

Warrants were served at 55971 Clover Road, Mishawaka, 304 East Louis Street, Osceola, and 221 South Byrkit Street, Mishawaka.  These warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine, approximately four pounds of marijuana, two handguns, a stolen SUV, and $3,300 in United States Currency. 

Jeromee Sells, age 39 of Osceola, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Distributing Methamphetamine and was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail. 

Michelle Haughee, age 36 of Elkhart, was arrested on an outstanding Body Attachment and was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail. 

Michelle Johnson, age 48 of Osceola, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Dealing Methamphetamine and was taken to the Elkhart County Jail. 

Jason Myers, age 43 of Edwardsburg, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Maintaining a Common Nuisance and was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.