Full Notification

November 15, 2012

Officers from Warsaw Police and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department joined together in the last 24 hours to arrest several individuals on possibly the largest heroin bust in county history.

Drug officers from the Warsaw Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department worked together yesterday on what initially began as controlled purchased of heroin. Officers then obtained information of a possible methamphetamine lab at the location of 3160 Stoneburner Road, lot #2, Warsaw, where officers did locate an active meth lab and a HCL generator. Warsaw and K.C.S.D. officers arrested Shawn Luther Morton, 50, Warsaw, on a preliminary charge of felony dealing and manufacturing methamphetamine over 3 grams. Morton’s wife, Dawn Ellen Morton, 47, Warsaw, was also arrested in their residence on a preliminary charge of felony dealing and manufacturing methamphetamine. Officers subsequently located marijuana and paraphernalia at the residence as the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team secured the scene due to the active lab.

Undercover officers from Warsaw P.D. and K.C.S.D. returned to the original heroin purchase and arrested Adam Perry Shay, 21, Elkhart, on a preliminary charge of felony possession of a schedule I, II, or III controlled substance. Shay’s arrest eventually led officers to the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park located south of Leesburg. Officers from the Warsaw/Kosciusko County S.W.A.T. team converged on lot #151 shortly before 1:25 a.m. this morning, taking several individuals into custody that included:

• Darshawn Julius Moore, 19, Chicago, preliminarily arrest for visiting a common nuisance.
• William Kim Sanford, 34, Warsaw, preliminarily arrested for dealing in a narcotic drug.
• Rachel A. Truex, 30, Warsaw, preliminarily arrested for dealing in a narcotic drug.

SWAT team members and undercover officers located two firearms inside the residence along with over 100 small bags containing heroin. Officers also located two juveniles at the mobile home, one of which was transported to a juvenile detention facility due to the alleged involvement in the distribution of the heroin.

Bonds on the arrested individuals are:

• Shawn Luther Morton, $20,000
• Dawn Ellen Morton, $20,000
• Adam Perry Shay, $2,000
• Darshawn Julius Moore, $350
• William Kim Sanford, $20,000
• Rachel A. Truex, $20,000

Warsaw and Kosciusko County undercover officers stated that this appeared to be the largest amount of heroin ever seized during an arrest within the county. Officers also stated that the investigation is still active and that additional arrests are possible.

The multiple arrests and sting operation was the result of joint investigation by the Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office advises that the defendant’s charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


W.R. Goshert, Sheriff
Scott D. Whitaker, Warsaw Chief of Police

Sgt. Chad D. Hill
Kosciusko County Public Information Officer

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