LAWRENCE COUNTY — A Mitchell man was arrested late Tuesday night after deputies executing a search warrant allegedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside a residence and on his person.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Thomas Porter of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 10:30 p.m., March 24, to the double-digit block of Juliet Lane for a report of an unwanted person.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with a resident who reported her son, Johnathan D. Martin, was inside the home, acting erratically, and was suspected to be under the influence of drugs.
During the investigation, officers received information about possible drug paraphernalia inside the residence. A witness described a glass smoking device commonly used for methamphetamine and indicated its location inside a room of the home.
Police said Officer Porter later observed the described container through a window and saw Martin asleep on a nearby cot. Officers then contacted a prosecutor and obtained a search warrant.
Authorities executed the warrant shortly before midnight and took Martin into custody on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, and trafficking with an inmate.
While taking Martin into custody, officers reported locating a glass smoking device inside the gloves on the cot where he had been sleeping.
According to the affidavit, additional methamphetamine, approximately one gram, was later discovered by jail staff concealed in Martin’s clothing after he was transported to the Lawrence County jail. Police noted Martin had denied having anything on him prior to transport.
Officers documented the evidence with photos and body camera footage. The paraphernalia was later destroyed in accordance with department policy.
Martin was arrested at the scene and remains in custody on the listed charges.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
