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Last updated on Thursday, December 11, 2014
(GREENE CO.) - 28-year-old James Kent of Bloomfield and 41-year-old John Thompson of Worthington were arrested after police received a tip that the men were buying pseudoephedrine to make meth.
According to police, both men are on record for a number of precursor purchases from throughout Greene County since August.
Worthington Police say, on Dec. 2 they received a tip from a confidential informant, who told them that Thompson had asked the informant for a ride to CVS in Bloomfield so he could buy pseudoephedrine to make meth.
The informant had recorded the conversation
The informant reportedly claimed that after picking up the pseudoephedrine, they transported Thompson to a mobile home in Switz City, where it would take about 20-30 minutes to "run a batch" (make meth).
According to a probable cause affidavit, the informant called Thompson on Dec. 3 asking to purchase a half gram of meth for $50. Police gave the informant the cash and a recorder to tape the transaction.
Later that day, Later that day, Thompson allegedly contacted the informant, and said he would need to bring some pseudoephedrine with them because he would no longer sell the meth for cash.
Thompson reportedly again contacted the informant on Dec. 5, asking for a ride to Wal-Mart and CVS in Linton. The informant, Harrington states, recorded a conversation on the way, in which Thompson offered to give the informant methamphetamine in return for a box of pseudoephedrine.
The deal was allegedly made later that evening, with a box of Allegra D that police provided.
The informant recorded the conversation.
The police later allegedly saw Thompson entering Kent's home. Police requested a search warrant, which was executed with help from members of several police departments - Indiana State, Jasonville and Linton, along with Worthington Chief Randy Raney.
Kent and another man were allegedly found in the home, and were arrested and taken to the Linton Police Department.
The house reportedly had a strong odor that is consistent with the manufacture of meth, along with many other ingredients and vessels that are regularly used in the "one-pot method," along with a firearm, which was later determined to be stolen.
Members of ISP, JPD and LPD then reportedly made a "high risk traffic stop at the intersection of South Commercial and Main Streets in Worthington, of a minivan being driven by Thompson. He was also taken into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly found the Allegra D box, which had been specially marked for easy identification. Police say the pills had been taken out, and there was a corner baggie containing a white powdery substance in the box,which tested positive for meth.
Kent in an interview with police, denied manufacturing meth, living at the Switz City residence and stealing the firearm that was found in the home.
The man found in the Switz City home told police that Kent lived there with him and another person and that he had seen the firearm in Kent's bedroom.
Thompson admitted to providing Kent with pseudoephedrine in exchange for methtwice, and that he had paid him $50 for meth for the informant.
Kent and Thompson are facing two charges of dealing in methamphetamine, manufacture or deliver or finance the manufacture, a level 5 felony, and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. Bond for each is set at $15,000.
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