Staff Reports
Two Columbus residents were arrested on felony drug dealing charges after law enforcement recovered narcotics and two firearms while serving a warrant at a Columbus home early Saturday morning.
Shortly after 4 a.m., members of the Columbus Police Department SWAT Team, which is comprised of officers from the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, served a search warrant as a result of an investigation into narcotics activity at a residence in the 1200 block of California Street, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
During the warrant service, SWAT officers arrested Jamontrae D. Bennett, 25, of 3716 Williamsburg Court -8D, as well as Paige E. Hawksworth, 26, of 1214 California St., Harris said.
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During the investigation, officers noted a large number of people visiting the residence as well as the presence of motion activated security cameras outside of the home.
As a result of the warrant service, officers recovered methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia along with two handguns, Harris said.
Both Bennett and Hawksworth were transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where they were placed on a 48-hour hold on the following preliminary charges:
Jamontrae Bennett: Dealing in cocaine (Level 2 felony), Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), maintaining a common nuisance (Level 6 Felony), dealing in marijuana (Class A misdemeanor), possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), Bartholomew County warrant.
Paige Hawksworth — Dealing in cocaine (Level 2 felony), possession of cocaine (Level 3 felony), possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (Level 6 felony), possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor).
The Columbus Police Department Uniform Division assisted in the investigation.