Loogootee: The investigation of a domestic dispute and battery charges led officers to arrest seven people Tuesday on a total of 29 criminal charges.
At 1:55 P.M. Tuesday, Senior Trooper Jarrod Lents, Loogootee Police Chief Kelly Rayhill and Officer Keith Keller responded to 502 South Kentucky Avenue regarding a domestic dispute that had become physical between the parties. The homeowners, James and Deborah Stewart, with their children were in the yard and spoke with officers upon their arrival. No charges were filed at the time and the officers left the residence.
A short time later, Trooper Lents received a message to contact Deborah Stewart, as she did wish to press battery charges against James. Affidavits and statements were completed, and Lents and Keller went back to the address to locate James Stewart.
After knocking on the door at 502 South Kentucky, officers received no answer. They knew from being on scene earlier that a family member had come out of 422 South Kentucky Avenue, so officers went to that address and knocked on the door. James Stewart hastily exited the residence and attempted to immediately close the door. In the process of his stepping outside, Lents could smell the odor of burnt marijuana from inside the home. Lents opened the door and ordered all of the occupants out of the residence. Six additional adults exited, along with two small children and a 17 year old juvenile.
Lents quickly checked the residence to make sure no additional persons were inside. In the process, Lents noticed marijuana sitting in plain sight on a table and a glass smoking pipe on a sofa in the living room. Lents contacted the Martin County Prosecutor’s Office and applied for and obtained a search warrant through the Martin County Circuit Court.
While searching the residence, officers found numerous articles of drug paraphernalia in a bedroom. Additionally, in a safe in the same room, paraphernalia with white powder that field tested positive for methamphetamine was found.
Five adults were arrested and transported to the Martin County Jail, while two juveniles were summonsed into court. The State Police was assisted by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, Loogootee and Shoals Police Departments, and the Department of Child Services.
Arrested and Charges:
James Stewart, 48
Loogootee, IN
- Domestic Battery, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor
- Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
Brittany M. Staats, 19
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Christian Williams, 21
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Joanna M. Hurst, 41
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Jordan T. Brown, 23
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
17 Year Old Juvenile
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemanor
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
17 Year Old Juvenile
Loogootee, IN
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemanor
- Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor
-30-
HENSLEY
* Photographs are of the following arrested individuals (in posted order):
- James Stewart
- Joanna Hurst
- Brittany Staats
- Christian Williams
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
