Wanda English Burnett
Editor
Passersby on US 50 in Butlerville saw a number
of police cars and police tape around the residence located
at 5325 E US 50, on Sunday morning.
According to information from Sgt. Noel Houze of the Indiana
State Police, three arrests were made in connection to the scene
and a meth lab was sniffed out thanks to the alert actions of
a patrolling officer.
Trooper Randel Miller was on routine patrol when he went through
the area and detected a strong chemical odor he recognized to
be similar to that of odors often associated with the manufacture
of methamphetmine.
The trooper then contacted the Jennings County Sheriffs
Office and requested assistance. Two officers from that office
responded and after determining the odor was in fact coming
from the 5325 E US 50 residence, a search warrant was obtained.
Officers found numerous items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine
and four firearms when they entered the residence.
Arrested were Michael E. Guthrie, 49, and Anna M. Proffitt,
51, both of Butlerville; and Jason W. Moore, 30, of North Vernon.
They were all charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class
A Felony. Officers noted the charge was elevated to a Class
F Felony due to the proximity of the Butlerville Baptist Church,
which is directly across from the residence. It was noted that
Easter services at the church were not affected by the investigation
which began just after 8 a.m. Easter Sunday morning.
Assisting Trooper Miller with the investigation were troopers
Dave McKalip, Rick Hewitt, and Jeremy Franklin. Also assisting
were Sgt. Jim Blevins and Deputy Kevin Hall of the Jennings
County Sheriffs Office and Officers Jason Allen and Todd
Fleetwood of the North Vernon Police Department.