Full Notification

Miami County – Recently, a joint criminal investigation by officers from the CLEAN Team and the Howard County Drug Task Force led to the arrests of Kevin Herrell, 28, and Kristy Herrell, 30, both from 13657 S. 500 W, rural Kokomo, IN.

Thursday morning, officers from the CLEAN Team served Howard Superior Court I arrest warrants on the Herrell’s at their Miami County residence. The warrants alleged ten separate criminal violations, each, for the purchase of more than 7.2 grams of precursors in a 30 day period.

When officers approached the Herrell’s residence, they found Kristy outside the home and Kevin inside an attached garage. Kristy retreated into the residence. Officers gave chase and found her hiding in an upstairs bedroom. There were also two nine years-old girls and a ten year old girl in the room.

When officers approached Kevin, he was allegedly holding a plastic bottle containing an active one pot methamphetamine lab. The lab was in the cooking process. He refused to put the bottle down when ordered to by officers. Kevin Herrell was allegedly shaking the bottle and faked throwing motions, towards the officers, as if he might throw the highly combustible materials. The officers swiftly took Kevin to the ground. After a brief struggle, the officers were able to take possession of the lab. No injuries were sustained during the struggle.

Kevin and Kristy were incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. They each face additional criminal charges for neglect of a dependent (three counts), resisting law enforcement, possession of chemical precursors, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of a hypodermic needle. Kevin faces an additional charge for manufacturing methamphetamine. Kristy faces two additional charges for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

The children were transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital for a medical evaluation. They were eventually released and transferred to the care of the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

The Indiana State Police encourages anyone with information about the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of methamphetamine to call the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Information can be reported anonymously.

The CLEAN Team was also assisted by troopers from the Indiana State Police Peru Post, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, and the Pipe Creek Fire Department.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law