(SPRINGVILLE) – Indiana State Police and the Lawrence County HIT (Highway Interdiction Team) concluded an investigation into a report of methamphetamine dealing in Greene County.
Troopers received information that 47-year-old James T. Merriman, of Springville, was involved in dealing meth from his residence on Burnette Lane.
Investigators conducted interviews, surveillance, and traffic stops.
On Wednesday evening, Trp. Chance Humphrey observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Tahoe in the area. The driver was identified as 35-year-old Joey Jacobs, of Spencer. During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were observed.
Officer Shaun Cabral of the HIT Team deployed his canine, “Jack”, who alerted police to possible drugs in the vehicle.
Officers found Jacobs with a meth pipe with meth inside.
Jacobs was arrested on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.
Utilizing the information garnered during the investigation, Trp. Caleb Garvin applied for and received a search warrant for Merriman’s residence.
Trooper Garvin, Trp. Humphrey, Officer Cabral, Trp. Cody Brown, and ISP Sgt. Greg Day executed the search warrant and located Merriman inside of his camper.
Officers seized approximately 3 grams of meth, 10 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, baggies, and other items used in dealing drugs.
Trp. Garvin arrested Merriman on charges of dealing meth, possession of meth, possession of marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Merriman is incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.
