During the overnight hours Wednesday leading into Thursday, a joint effort of law enforcement agencies participated in “Operation Groundhog” that led to the arrest of 21 people for outstanding warrants.
According to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Chris Francis, “Operation Groundhog” came to be following several months of covert surveillance and undercover operations conducted by Narcotics Enforcement Team 43.
The following people were arrested in the sting:
• Brandon L. Warren, 42, of 302 N. Bronson St., Warsaw, arrested for manufacturing/dealing methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine and misdemeanor failure to appear. Bond: $40,200.
• Michael A. Catalan, 22, of 733 Ireland Drive, Warsaw, arrested for dealing marijuana. Bond: $5,250.
• Robert K. Powell, 30, of 524 E. Center St., Warsaw, arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $5,250.
• Bryan D. Trager, 57, of 814 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, arrested for maintaining a common nuisance. Bond: $5,250.
• Larry E. Konkle, 53, of 1108 Fisher Ave., Warsaw, arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $5,250.
• Derek C. Krichbaum, 36, of 201 Lakeview Drive, Winona Lake, arrested for felony probation violation. Bond: $5,250.
• Christopher D. Spangle, 35, homeless, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Ashly Danielle Johnson, 30, of 403 N. Columbia St., Warsaw, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Nicholas S. Stahl, 30, of 209 E. High St., Etna Green, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Andrew M. Taylor, 31, of 107 E. County Line Road, #5, Syracuse, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Joshua B. Hawthorne, 40, of 1202 Wooster Road, #88, Winona Lake, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Lowell K. Collins, 54, of 223 W. Jefferson St., #3, Warsaw, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Joshua L. Herr, 40, of 500 Short St., Nappanee, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Amanda J. Justice, 37, of 7427 S. Caldwell Lake Drive, Claypool, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Nicole R. Pearson, 31, of 418 S. Washington St., Warsaw, arrested for visiting a common nuisance. Bond: $400.
• Daniel B. Slone Jr., 34, of 2507 West Side Drive, Warsaw, arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $5,250.
• Nicholas A. Irvine, 28, of 2605 E. Center St., Warsaw, arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $10,250.
• Cassandra K. Secor, 31, of 3762 W. Old 30, lot 28E, Warsaw, arrested for manufacturing/dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and obstruction of justice. Bond: $30,500.
• William P. Clutter, 41, of 811 S. Main St., North Webster, arrested for possession of paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $10,500.
• Kira M. Tuttle, 38, Columbia City, arrested for manufacturing paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. Bond: $15,500.
• Haleigh R. Johnson, 28, of 212 S. First St., Apt. A, Pierceton, arrested for possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance. Bond: $5,250.
Participating agencies included the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, NET 43, KCSO, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Parole, and officers with the Mentone, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, Silver Lake, Syracuse, Warsaw and Winona Lake police departments.
The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET 43) is a collaborative law enforcement unit consisting of officers from the Warsaw and Winona Lake police departments, the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s?Office. Anyone who has information about suspicious drug activity, drug trafficking or drug suspects can contact NET 43 at NET43@kcgov.com or 574-372-2494.
