LAWRENCE CO. — A Bloomington man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after being stopped by an Indiana Conservation Officer for allegedly possessing illegal drugs and illegally harvested ginseng.
James J. Cazee, 55, was formally charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft following an affidavit for probable cause filed by Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) Caleb Hutchison.
According to the probable cause affidavit, ICO Hutchison located Cazee and his female companion, identified as exiting the Hoosier National Forest property at approximately 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, October 5.
During the initial stop, Officer Hutchison located methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and illegally harvested ginseng on Cazee’s person. The theft charge is connected to the illegal harvesting of the ginseng, which is regulated under state law and often requires specific permits and adherence to season limits.
Cazee initially consented to a search of the cab area of his vehicle, but reportedly rescinded consent for the officer to search a locked toolbox in the rear cargo area.
Citing Cazee’s sudden change in cooperation, Officer Hutchison believed additional evidence, including drugs or ginseng, was likely stored in the locked compartments.
A search warrant was subsequently issued by Owen County for a GPS tracking device to be placed on the vehicle. The affidavit indicates that over the next two days of observation, the tracking system recorded Cazee making “short, brief stops through areas in Monroe County and Greene County,” which the officer noted are “interactions that are indicative of drug-related activities.”
Based on these observations, a second search warrant was granted for the vehicle itself. The subsequent search of the locked toolbox confirmed the officer’s suspicions, revealing additional crystal meth residue and a glass smoking device.
Cazee was taken into custody on October 6. He is now facing charges in Lawrence County related to the alleged drug possession and the illegal harvesting of forest property.
