Photo by Mike Wolanin | The Republic A Columbus Police Department squad vehicle with new updated vehicle wrap.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Four Columbus residents have been arrested as part of a drug dealing investigation and a report of a drug overdose at 311 Cleveland St.
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) and the Intelligence Led Policing Unit (ILP) had received tips about drug dealing occurring at the house, said Sgt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
On May 16th, Columbus Police were called to the home for a drug overdose. One man was believed to have overdosed and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
During the course of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained by JNET to search the house. Inside, investigators located more than 50 grams of methamphetamine along with packaging material, digital scales, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia.
As a result of the investigations, Jessica Comstock, 37, 311 Cleveland St., Dustin Harden, 19, 311 Cleveland St., and Chase Barnhart, 20, 13660 W. County Road 170S were arrested, Berry said. All are being held without bond at the Bartholomew County Jail.
Preliminary charges include:
Dustin Harden: Maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony, and possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony
Chase Barnhart: Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor
Keith Cherry, 35, address unavailable, was not at the home at the time, but an arrest warrant was issued as a result of this investigation. On May 30th, investigators from the Intelligence Led Policing Unit located Cherry at 5271 S. Pine St. and took him into custody for his warrant for dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony.
Jessica Comstock: Dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony, maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony, neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office is targeting the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
