Two Meth Labs, Four Arrests Last Week in Versailles District

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IN - Last Thursday, troopers at the Versailles District were not only kept busy with the winter weather, but also took down two methamphetamine labs that resulted in the arrests of four individuals.  It all started the morning of February 21, 2008, just after 9:00 a.m. when trooper Nathaniel Adams responded to a call received from a Walgreens pharmacist in Madison. 

The unidentified pharmacist reported a few days earlier when an individual tried to purchase iodine and pseudoephedrine together.  A review of pseudoephedrine logs revealed John C. Clark, 34 of Madison had purchased a total of 9.6 grams of pseudoephedrine from four different pharmacies in the Madison area.  Trooper Adams and Officer Ty Eblen of the Madison Police Department responded to Clark's apartment on East Street in Madison to do a "stop and knock."  The officers explained Clark was implicated in the purchase of the large amount of pseudoephedrine and would like to search his home.  After Clark refused to allow officers inside his residence, they left to seek a search warrant for the residence.

Just after 12:30 p.m. Madison Police Department received a phone call from a concerned citizen near Clark's residence informing them Clark was possibly attempting to hide or dispose of a meth lab in the woods near his residence.  When officers responded to the scene they located precursors and other articles used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in the woods behind Clark's residence.  Clark and his live in girlfriend, Barbara M. Amburgey, 23 were taken into custody without incident.  Both are facing charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine Within 1000 Feet a Public Park, a Class A Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors Within 1000 Feet of a Public Park, a Class C Felony, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Class D Felony.  Both subjects were transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Madison by Madison Police.

The second incident began at approximately 10:30 p.m. last Thursday night when trooper Adam Bullock and Probationary Officer Kyle Black observed a blue 2003 Hyundai on I-74 traveling westbound driving in an erratic manner near the 123 mile marker in Decatur County.  The troopers made a traffic stop on the vehicle at the 121 mile marker in Shelby County.  The troopers approached the vehicle and obtained identification information from both the driver and passenger. 

As the troopers were returning to their vehicle, the Hyundai sped off.  The pursuit went west on I-74 and because of the hazardous road conditions, speeds reached only 45 to 50 m.p.h.  At the 116 mile marker the vehicle exited the wrong way and entered the city of Shelbyville.  The pursuit then continued winding through numerous city streets in Shelbyville when the vehicle finally came to stop approximately 20 minutes after the pursuit began near Franklin and Thompson Roads.  The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot while the passenger remained in the vehicle.  Officers followed footprints in the snow a short distance from the vehicle where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 37 year old Eddie W. Harris of Bighill, KY and the passenger was identified as 28 year old Cristina L. Koontz of Rushville, IN.  Also inside the vehicle were two young boys ages four and eight.  Also found in the back seat of the vehicle was a mobile methamphetamine lab.  Both Harris and Koontz were taken to the Shelby County Jail. 

Harris has been charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Class A Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony, Taking a Child to a Common Nuisance, Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, Class D Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement, Class D Felony, Neglect of a Dependent, Class C Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Infraction, and numerous traffic offenses.

Koontz has been charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Class A Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony, Taking a Child to a Common Nuisance, Class A Misdemeanor, Neglect of a Dependent, Class C Felony, and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Infraction.

The boys were placed into the custody of Shelby County Child Protective Services and transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure and were later released to their grandparents.

Assisting Troopers Bullock and Black was Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Shelbyville and St. Paul Police Departments, Shelby County Prosecutor's office and Shelby County Child Protective Services.

In both cases, the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was activated to properly dispose of the labs.

Source: Indiana State Police

Technorati Tags: News State Adam Bullock Barbara M. Amburgey Crime / Police Cristina L. Koontz Eddie W. Harris Family Indiana State Police - ISP Jefferson County - IN John C. Clark Kyle Black Madison - IN Madison Police Department Nathaniel Adams Ty Eblen

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