Perry County: A report of suspicious activity lead officers to investigate a pair of Perry County men for drug activity, as well as solve a theft case.
Trooper Trey Lytton received information of a possible theft in progress at a home on Brushy Fork Road in southern Perry County. After doing a license plate check from what was given by the caller, and after speaking with Tell City Police Officer Bryce Hammack, Lytton learned that the vehicle owner, 36 year old Joshua McManaway of Tell City, had an active warrant for his arrest through Perry County.
Lytton and Tell City Police Officer Matt Leistner arrived on Brushy Fork Road just as the vehicle, a maroon GMC SUV, was pulling out of the driveway. Lytton initiated a traffic stop with the vehicle on Brushy Fork Road near Stone Road. Lytton identified the driver as McManaway, and spoke with the passenger, 32 year old Heath W. Pieper of Tell City. Lytton learned that Pieper was wanted on a Body Attachment through Dubois County. Both McManaway and Pieper were placed into custody. During an inventory of the GMC before it was impounded, Lytton and Leistner found numerous drug and drug paraphernalia items, including coffee filters with residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, smoking devices, hypodermic needles, and materials used in the manufacturing process of methamphetamine. The Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Section assisted in processing the evidence.
Lytton spoke with the homeowner on Brushy Fork Road, who identified numerous items that were stolen from his home. Items had been taken from his barn, behind his barn, as well as from inside his garage.
McManaway and Pieper were transported to the Perry County Jail without incident.
Arrested and Charges:
Joshua McManaway, 36
Tell City, IN
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of 2 or More Precursors, Level 6 Felony
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony
- Theft, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Heath W. Pieper, 32
Tell City, IN
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of 2 or More Precursors, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony
- Theft, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
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HENSLEY
* Photographs are of McManaway, Pieper, meth lab materials seized, and hypodermic needles seized.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
