BEDFORD – A Spencer man was arrested Thursday afternoon on felony drug charges after Indiana State Police officers serving warrants at a Bedford-area residence allegedly discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a bedroom where he was hiding, according to an affidavit filed in Lawrence County.
Joshua R. Turpin, 32, faces preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
According to the affidavit, Indiana State Police Detective Caleb Garvin, along with Detectives Chance Humphrey and Zack Robbins and Trooper Tyler Trueblood, went to the 1400 block of Washboard Road at approximately 2:10 p.m. Thursday to locate Turpin, who was wanted on two felony warrants out of Monroe County.
Police said a woman who answered the door appeared nervous when asked about Turpin’s whereabouts. Another resident then directed officers to a bedroom on the west end of the trailer where Turpin was allegedly staying.
Investigators said Humphrey and Trueblood found Turpin seated on the floor beneath a blanket in an apparent attempt to conceal himself from officers. While taking him into custody, officers allegedly observed a glass smoking device commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine, and the odor of burnt marijuana.
Garvin later obtained and executed a search warrant for the bedroom. During the search, police reported finding multiple glass smoking devices, a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, a grinder, partially burned hand-rolled cigarettes, and a wallet containing Turpin’s identification.
According to the affidavit, officers also located paperwork belonging to another resident inside a purse-style bag that allegedly contained marijuana and drug-related items.
Turpin was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
