Detectives from the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team with the assistance of area police agencies arrested 16 people in a warrant sweep.
The investigation that led to the arrests began earlier this year and involved the sale of heroin and methamphetamine in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Arrested were:
- Nicole L. Childers, 29, Columbus, two counts of dealing heroin
- Richard D. Bunch, 53, Columbus, two counts of dealing methamphetamine
- Kelsey E. Smith, 20, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine
- Carrie Jo Meek, 26, Columbus, two counts of dealing heroin
- Phillip M. Cochran, 38, North Vernon, two counts of dealing heroin
- Charles A. Sims, 40, Columbus, two counts of dealing heroin
- Brian S. Suns, 30, Columbus, two counts of dealing heroin
- James W. Sidebottom, 32, Edinburgh, two counts of dealing methamphetamine
- Christopher M. Bennett, 33, Columbus, two counts of dealing methamphetamine
- Elizabeth A. Burton, 29, Edinburgh, two counts of dealing methamphetamine
- Joanna M. Gearhart, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine
- Steven C. Garvin, 26, Franklin, dealing in methamphetamine
- David A. Ward, 45, Columbus, two counts of dealing in methamphetamine
- Haley M. Zapfe, 25, Columbus, two counts of dealing in methamphetamine
- Ian M. Colson, 34, Columbus, dealing in heroin
- Jesse S. Woolsey, 23, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine
Two additional suspects are still being sought and police are asking the public for assistance in locating them.
- Robert E. Leturgez Jr., 27, Columbus, wanted on two counts of dealing methamphetamine
- Joshua M. “Chirp” Parker, 24, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600. Tips and information may be left anonymously.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
