JENNINGS COUNTY — A report to Jennings County E911 that a man was dead at a Jennings County home led to the arrest of two women on drug-related charges.
On the afternoon of March 11, dispatchers received notification about the male’s death, with the caller saying she had last spoken to the man 20 minutes before finding him deceased.
Jennings County Sheriff deputies and detectives immediately responded and Deputy Max Marcoux was led into the residence and directed to where the male was found. He immediately recognized that the male had been deceased longer than what the caller had stated, deputies said.
Marcoux and Detective Ian McPherson secured the scene and began to interview those who were at the residence. During the interviews, deputies and detectives were able to get the caller, Tina Pelsor, 46, North Vernon, to admit that she had not given them an accurate timeline. Deputies and detectives were also able to clearly observe that the female caller was intoxicated, according to police.
Jennings County Coroner’s Office arrived and informed investigators that in his professional opinion, the male had been deceased a minimum of two hours. In the process of further questioning, the female admitted to methamphetamine use and that there was methamphetamine and paraphernalia in the residence. Marcoux was able to get consent to search the residence.
While conducting a search, Deputy Owen Miller located a female hiding in a closet. The female, Wanda Arnold, 57, North Vernon, was detained and it was later learned that she had an active felony warrant through Jennings County. Deputies began to interview Arnold in reference to the deceased male as well. During the interview, deputies observed that Wanda was also intoxicated and that she also lived at the residence. Marcoux was able to get consent to search Wanda’s room.
Cause of death is still being determined by Jennings County Coroner’s Office, however no foul play is suspected. Once the search of the bedrooms was completed, the two women were taken to Jennings County Jail on the following preliminary charges:
Tina Pelsor:
- Possession of paraphernalia- Class C misdemeanor
- Failure to report a dead body- Class A misdemeanor
- Obstruction of justice- Level 6 felony
- Assisting a Criminal- Level 6 felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 felony
Wanda Arnold:
- Possession of paraphernalia- Class C misdemeanor
- Failure to Report a Dead Body- Class A misdemeanor
- Warrant for Probation Violation
- Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 felony
- Obstruction of Justice- Level 6 felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 felony
