On 04/11/2014 just after 7:00 am, Steuben County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked in the driveway of a Hamilton residence located in the 4100 block of east Bellefountaine Rd. During the course of the investigation, four people were located inside the residence along with items commonly associated with the manufacturing of Methamphetamine. Sheriff’s detectives and the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section’s Clandestine Lab Team were called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained for the property and more items commonly associated with the manufacture of Methamphetamine were located along with suspected Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The four people found inside the residence were identified as 36 year old Aaron S. Brown, 34 year old Leslie J. Swindell, 34 year old Joseph Cotrell, and 39 year old Amy J. Miller. Following interviews by Sheriff’s detectives, all four were taken into custody in connection with the investigation.
Brown was charged with class B felony manufacturing Methamphetamine, class A felony possession of Methamphetamine, class D felony possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture Methamphetamine, and class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. Swindell was charged with class B felony aiding in manufacturing Methamphetamine, class A felony possession of Methamphetamine, class D felony possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture Methamphetamine, and class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. Cotrell was charged with class B felony aiding in manufacturing Methamphetamine, class A felony possession of Methamphetamine, class D felony possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture Methamphetamine, and class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. Miller was charged with class B felony aiding in manufacturing Methamphetamine, class A felony possession of Methamphetamine, class D felony possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture Methamphetamine, and class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. Additionally, Miller also had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Williams County, Ohio for an alleged drug offense.
All four were booked into the Steuben County Jail and are being held in lieu of a $157,500 bond. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Indiana State Police and the Hamilton Town Marshal’s Office.
Tim R. Troyer
Sheriff of Steuben County
**Any criminal charge is merely and accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**
