Wanda English Burnett
Editor

William W. “Woody” Baker, 33, had eluded police since December of last year when they searched his Holton home and found a working methamphetamine lab, stolen auto parts and more, according to information from Ripley Publishing Co. files.

On Monday of this week, after Baker had been seen frequenting a residence in Butlerville, police were able to positively identify him as the suspect they were looking for. About 4:30 p.m. on April 5 as he left the residence, Baker was taken into custody without incident, according to information from the Indiana State Police.

Baker was wanted on charges from Ripley County for Manufacturing Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony. He is also connected with drug related activity in Jennings County, that includes stolen high performance auto parts that were found at his Holton home in a previous raid.

At an initial hearing held Wednesday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. in Ripley County Circuit Court, Baker faced four charges from the previous raid on his home in December of 2009. They are: Manufacturing Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class D Felony; Possession of Marijuana over 30 grams, Class D Felony; and Receiving, Retaining or Disposing of Stolen Property, a Class D Felony.

Judge Carl Taul explained that the B felony charge carries up to 20 years imprisonment and the D felonies carry up to three years, with the possibility of a $10,000 fine for each offense.

Prosecutor Ric Hertel requested bail be set at $100,000 due to the fact that Baker knew he was wanted since early January and didn’t turn himself in. He said he was a “flight risk.” The judge honored the request and also set a trial date of September 28, 2010.

Baker faces additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class D Felony and Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class D Felony, from the Jennings County arrest on Monday.

Baker was at the residence of Arnold Boshears, 46, who gave police consent to search. There they found numerous articles of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, along with 36 marijuana plants.

Boshears was arrested along with Baker and charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony; Cultivating Marijuana, Class D Felony; and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class D Felony.

Also arrested at the residence were Debbie Collins, 37, who was charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony; Possession of Marijuana Less than 30 Grams, Class A Misdemeanor; and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Infraction.
Readawn Ferris, 20, of Butlerville, was also arrested and charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Class D Felony; and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Infraction.

All four were booked into the Jennings County Jail.

The lead investigating officer, Senior Trooper Rick Hewitt with the Indiana State Police, noted, “This (arrest) is a good example of team work between police agencies. The Jennings County Sheriff’s deputies were able to provide additional information and their assistance helped lead to a successful investigation which took a wanted criminal off the streets.”

Hewitt was assisted by members of the Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication and Suppression Team, the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team-South, the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Unit, and the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

The Indiana State Police encourage anyone who may have information or suspect any kind of illegal activity to call their local state police post. All information is investigated and callers can remain anonymous.
The Indiana State Police, Versailles Post can be contacted at 800-566-6704 or 689-5000.

William "Woody" Baker