Wanda English Burnett
Staff Writer

Warrants were issued last Wednesday, January 27 and by the end of the night several people were in police custody due to alleged illegal prescription drug activity.

According to court records, eight arrests were made that night, with three suspects still at large. Several police agencies have been working in conjunction toward the arrests saying the abuse of prescription drugs is rampant in Ripley County.

While people may not think having possession of prescription drugs that are not their own, and selling them is a big deal, they are wrong. Prosecutor Ric Hertel noted that many of the charges filed on the recent arrests are Class B Felonies, which can mean up to 20 years imprisonment and hefty fines if the suspects are found guilty. “It has serious consequences,” he told the Osgood Journal.

Arrested on January 27, along with their charges are:

• Terry Jessee, 21, Versailles, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule II Controlled Substance (Class B Felony); Conspiracy to Deal Schedule I, II, III Controlled Substance, (Class B Felony:; and two counts Conspiracy to Deal Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Class C Felony).

• Jessica Copeland/Jessee, 23, Versailles, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule II Controlled Substance (Class B Felony).

• Joshua D. Jessee, Versailles, 25, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Class C Felony).

• Marie Jessee, 51, Versailles, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Class C Felony).

• Denise Atkins, 40, Versailles, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule II Controlled Substance (Class B Felony).

• Rebekah Hartman, 20, Dillsboro, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule I, II, III Controlled Substance (Class B Felony).

• Joel Taylor, 24, Dillsboro, charged with Conspiracy to Deal Schedule I, II, III Controlled Substance (Class B Felony).

• James Linville, 37, Greendale, charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Deal Schedule II Controlled Substance (Class B Felony).

Three warrants were issued that were not served. They include warrants for Kristen Vanwinkle, Jared Taylor, and Anthony Stevens.

The arrests are the results of a lengthy investigation by several agencies including the Osgood Police Department, Versailles Police Department, Batesville Police Department, Indiana State Police and the Dearborn County Special Crimes Unit.

Prosecutor Hertel noted that there could be additional criminal charges filed against those recently arrested. He also said the possibility exists that additional individuals will be charged at a later time.
The problem of illegal possession and distribution of prescription and “street” drugs has escalated recently in our area. Police say they believe the availability of the drugs is one reason for the problem.

If you have any knowledge of people using and/or distributing illegal prescription drugs, you are asked to call any law enforcement agency in the county to report it.