IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Linton Police Department makes big drug bust

By Halea Franklin, staff writer

An ongoing drug investigation sparked the arrest of three Jasonville men in what Linton Police Chief Keith McDonald is calling one of the biggest drug busts for his department in a number of years.

John J. Roof Jr., 40, Randy D. Miller, 49 and Aaron R. Stewart -- all of Jasonville -- were arrested by Linton Officers Paul Clark and Jayson Smith early Tuesday morning.

"This had been an ongoing drug investigation that started in Linton," McDonald explained. "The investigation led us to the Midland area. We received enough information that we were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence that's occupied by Randy Miller and John Roof, which is on the corner of County Road 800 N. and 1500 W."

A search warrant was served around 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Several drug related items were found at the residence.

"Inside the southwest bedroom closet, we found a round black metal tin containing two corner baggies, one pen tube with residue, one small plastic bag containing a white powder like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine and a photographic card of Randall (Randy) Miller," according to a probable cause affidavit. "Two full boxes of sandwich bags were also found in the closet. Also in the closet was a black bag containing several plastic bags, twisty ties, a metal scoop with residue, a plastic bag containing approximately 20 grams of a white powder like substance which field tested positive for cocaine, and one set of digital scales."

In the common area of the southwest bedroom, police found a black leather jacket containing two corner baggies with a white powder residue and one pen tube, according to the probable cause.

The probable cause also stated that a lighted mirror with white powder lines and an arrow tube were found on the bed in the southwest bedroom.

In the northwest bedroom, according to the probable cause, police found one corner baggie containing approximately two grams of a white crystal like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Located next to the baggie, according to the probable cause, was a Browning 9 MM handgun.

Inside the trash can in the computer room, police located numerous baggies with the corners cut out. According to the probable cause, they also located a small glass pipe and light bulb -- both containing residue -- wrapped in a red handkerchief. Under the south window of the computer room, a brown and tan travel bag, containing a pen tube, was located. Also located under the window was a clear tote with a blue lid containing digital scales, sandwich baggies, one smoking pipe with residue and a Ziploc baggie containing tubes. Also located in the computer room was a cooler containing a pen tube, two Zippo lighters, a small pipe cutter, an open package of elastic bands, a package of razor blades, one plastic baggie with the corner cut out, one plastic Ziploc baggie, one plastic Ziploc baggie containing a plastic Ziploc baggie and one plastic syringe in the side pocket of the cooler.

According to the probable cause, a consensual search was conducted on a white Toyota pickup which was driven to the residence by Stewart. In the vehicle, police found two white corner baggies containing white powdery substance and a glass pipe with residue. The substance in one baggie field tested positive for cocaine, while the other substance field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the probable cause.

According to the probable cause, pen tubes, glass pipes and light bulbs are commonly used to consume illegal narcotics such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

McDonald said approximately $4,000 worth of cocaine, $3,000 worth of methamphetamine and several computers were seized from the residence.

Roof was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing cocaine/methamphetamine over three grams -- a class A felony -- maintaining a common nuisance -- a class D felony -- and possession of paraphernalia -- a class A misdemeanor. Miller was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing cocaine/methamphetamine over three grams -- a class A felony -- maintaining a common nuisance -- a class D felony -- and possession of paraphernalia -- a class A misdemeanor. Stewart was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of cocaine -- a class D felony -- possession of methamphetamine -- a class D felony -- and possession of paraphernalia -- a class A misdemeanor.

McDonald said the seizure of drug-related records -- both handwritten and computerized -- is "a wealth of information for law enforcement."

He noted that the investigation is ongoing and could result in more arrests.

McDonald is pleased with the work of his officers.

"Obviously, I feel very proud of the hard work they put in this drug investigation as well as many others. They have numerous drug investigations going on right now," McDonald said. "Josh Goodman is basically heading up the task force part of this for us and it's worked out really, really well.

"This is probably the largest drug bust we've had in a long time."

Clark and Smith were assisted by Linton Officers Karl Jacobshagen, Chad Crynes, Debbie McDonald and Blaine Gillan as well as reserve officers Kyle Butler and Jamin Duhne and Bloomfield Town Marshal Bob Richardson.

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