State Police Arrest Three in Spice Bust
A traffic stop by the Indiana State Police on Saturday evening led to the arrest of three in a spice bust.
In jail are Callie Cowles, 25, Salem, Jacon Hollen, 21, Salem and Deanie Burtner, 54, Salem.
Cowles was charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Dealing in a Synthetic Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a synthetic drug and trafficking with an inmate.
Burtner was charged with maintaining a common nuisance, possession of synthetic drug, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a Schedule IV Narcotic.
Burtner also has a warrant for her arrest from Harrison County.
Hollen was arrested on a previous warrant for driving while suspended.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office filed by ISP Trooper Brett Walters, he spotted a Maroon Mitsubishi pull into O’Reiley’s parking lot about 11p on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Walters knew the vehicle belonged to Hollen, who he also knew had a warrant out for his arrest.
Walters called for backup and Sgt. Michael Volez arrived on scene.
Walters said he observed Cowles exit the vehicle and walk around the O’Reiley’s building. He noted that Cowles was known to be selling spice in Washington County.
According to the affidavit, Walters asked Hollen why he was out driving around when he had his license suspended. Walters said Hollen told him his girlfriend, Cowles, wanted him to drive her to meet another woman she was going to sell spice to. That woman turned out to be Burtner.
Hollen then told Walters that Cowles had a pipe filled with spice between the two seats. Walters verified that.
Walters asked Hollen if he knew he had a warrant out for his arrest and Walters said Hollen answered negatively. However, Walters said, Hollen did admit to driving away from Walters a week earlier when he spotted Walters on High Street.
Hollen told Walters that Cowles had given approximately two ounces of spice to Burtner at the O’Reiley’s location in an overflowing baggie.
In the meantime, Burtner was texting Hollen asking him if he got away from the police to come to her residence at 405 Mulberry Street to get the drugs.
Walters saw that Cowles had an active warrant against her and instructed Sgt. Volez to take her to jail.
Walters obtained a search warrant for the apartment at 405 Mullberry Street and converged there with Capt. Joe Keltner, Indiana Conservation Officer Neal Brewington, Deputy Brag Naugle and Officer Russel Wilconson along with Sgt. Volez.
Once in the residence, police found a small amount of synthetic drug on a tv tray.
Police also located a black gym back filled with checks and a smoking pipe belonging to an unidentified male in the apartment.
Burtner said she hid the drugs under the porch and officers found it in a coffee can.
All evidence (about 1.5 ounces of synthetic drug) was taken to the Sellersburg State Police post and booked in as evidence.
On October 2 at 6:06a, a jailer at the Washington County Detention Center said Cowles had drugs hidden on her.
According to the affidavit, the jailer asked Cowles for the drugs and she pulled a bag of spice out of her pants.
She was then charged with Trafficking with an Inmate.
Both Cowles and Hollen had additional unrelated charges – Cowles has an additional charge of Violation of Day Reporting and Hollen has an additional charge of probation violation.
