Conn found guilty of dealing in meth

It took only 90 minutes for a Ripley Circuit Court Jury to find Rick Conn guilty of Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A Felony, on March 2. Conn described by law enforcement agencies as a "major player" in the methamphetamine business had been arrested by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department on July 2003. At that time RCSD Sgt. Randy Holt had received information from the public that Conn, already wanted on 2 separate warrants, was living at a residence in Napoleon.

As a result of this report and further investigation in July 30, 2003, Sheriff Bill Davison, Captain David Pippin, DNR Officer Steve Miller, and Sgt. Holt "sat on" the residence and waited on Conn to arrive. Conn was observed pulling into the residence with another male subject. After getting out of the vehicle, Conn walked over to another vehicle with the hood up and appeared to start working on it. Captain Pippin took Conn into custody, and his additional investigation led to the discovery of methamphetamine. Conn was arrested and charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine alleging that he possessed with the intent to deliver over 3 grams of methamphetamine.

Captain Pippin, the investigating officer, provided compelling testimony in the trial that ultimately led to Conn's conviction. Sgt. Holt reassured the jury of the safeguards in place to prevent evidence contamination and his role of Evidence Technician. A State Police forensic scientist verified that the contraband was in fact methamphetamine. Lastly, at the trial an Indiana State Police undercover Drug Enforcement Detective testified that the evidence and investigation was consistent with that of a "drug dealer." The evidence included 9.1 grams of methamphetamine packaged in 6 individual baggies along with $790.00 cash. He based this on his over 1,000 drug investigations and 100-200 undercover buys he did personally. Defense Attorney Scott Montgomery admitted to the jury that Conn was a user of the meth but denied any intention of dealing. In closing argument Prosecutor Ric Hertel rebutted this by pointing out that 9.1 grams of meth would equal 91 potential uses and keep Conn "high" for over a month. It became obvious that the meth was packaged for distribution.

The Class A Felony conviction carries a sentence of 20-50 years. Further, Conn has meth charges pending in Franklin County along with a Felony Theft charge in Ripley County.

Prosecutor Hertel pointed out this is a classic case of citizens and police working together in the "war on drugs." As jurors in this case said, the average citizen does play a part in the "war on drugs." This case shows the prevalence of meth even here in Ripley county in the town of Napoleon. Hertel further noted that there is no substitute for good police work and citizen involvement. The key is to keep sending this message...that there is no place for illegal drugs and drug dealers in Ripley County. Conn is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, 2005.