Staff Reports
Four Bartholomew County residents were arrested on drug-related charges following an investigation by Indiana State Police detectives into the falsifying of a handgun purchase application.
Those arrested and their preliminary charges are:
Frank L. Hiatt, 59, 16200 E. County Road 265N, Columbus, felony warrant for providing false information on a consent form, obstruction of justice, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia. He was transferred to the Decatur County Jail on an arrest warrant after his 48-hour hold expired.
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Charles Hiatt, 62, 6713 W. Deaver Road, Columbus, possession of methamphetamine, visiting a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia. He was released from the Bartholomew County Jail without having to post bond under the new arrest proxy.
Rodney Hiatt, 52, 16202 E. County Road 265N, Columbus, maintaining a common nuisance. He was released from jail on $7,500 bond.
Johnny Watson, 53, 153 Market St., Hope, visiting a common nuisance. He was released from jail without having to post bond under the new arrest proxy.
The investigation by Detective Andrew Mitchell began in July when state police were notified that Frank Hiatt had allegedly falsified a handgun purchase application while attempting to buy a handgun from Rural King in Greensburg, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, ISP public information officer.
The investigation determined that Hiatt attempted to buy a handgun from Rural King on June 28. While completing the required paperwork, Hiatt indicated he was not under any indictment for felony charges, and was not an unlawful user of marijuana or any other controlled substance, Wheeles said. Hiatt’s handgun purchase application was denied at the time and he was not able to purchase the firearm.
Detectives learned that Hiatt had pending charges in Bartholomew County from March 11 after he was arrested by the Indiana State Police-All Crimes Policing Team on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance, Wheeles said.
A warrant was issued for Hiatt on a felony charge of providing false information on a consent form out of Decatur County.
On Sept. 10, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and deputies from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department went to Hiatt’s residence at 16200 E. County Road 265N, Columbus, to serve the arrest warrant. While at the residence, troopers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Hiatt and the three other men at the residence were arrested on drug-related charges, Wheeles said.
