Vennie
Three local people have been arrested and initially charged with felonies as a result of an investigation into a sex offender living near an elementary school. The Columbus Police Department received a tip of suspicious activity at a home in the 200 block of South Brooks Street, said Lt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
While looking into the tip, investigators gathered information that Philip Vennie, 43 of 242 S. Brooks St., Columbus, was living at the house and is a serious violent predator. Vennie is prohibited from living at the house because it is within 1000 feet of CSA Fodrea Elementary School, Berry said.
On Aug. 5th, officers also saw Vennie on the elementary school’s property. A short time later, Vennie was arrested at his work for the preliminary charge of unlawful entry by a serious sex offender, a Level 6 felony, for being on school property. He remains in the Bartholomew County Jail and more charges are possible, Berry said.
Later, detectives obtained a search warrant for the home on South Brooks Street to search for evidence that Vennie was living there. Before they were able to execute the search warrant, officers conducting covert surveillance saw a white SUV leave the home. The SUV was stopped by officers nearby who noted the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a search, marijuana, cocaine, and a handgun were found in the SUV.
The driver, Jordon Bryant, 21, of 622 Parkway Drive, Columbus, was arrested for preliminary charge of possession of cocaine while carrying a handgun, a Level 5 felony, according to police.
Stephanie Hudak, 42 of Columbus, was also arrested for the preliminary charge of assisting a criminal, a Level 6 felony, as a result of the investigation.
