Tribune Editor
Six of the seven people arrested on drug-related charges in March at a Medora residence have resolved their cases through Jackson Circuit Court.
The latest was Anthony Lane, 46, of Medora, who received an eight-year prison term after pleading guilty to a dealing in methamphetamine charge, a Class B felony.
Jackson Circuit Judge Richard W. Poynter suspended two of the eight years, placing Lane on supervised probation for those two years.
Lane, his sister, Ronetta Lane, and another family member, Joshua Lane, were arrested by police in March after a tip from Bedford Police Department led them to a residence in the 100 block of North Jackson Street in Medora.
Four others, Jennifer East, 26, and Tucker Brewer, 19, both of Medora, and Joseph Anthony Blake, 40, and his wife, Talia N. Blake, 33, both of Bedford, also were arrested at the residence.
The Lanes and East lived at the residence, according to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
The arrests stem from a search of the residence in which police found more than 15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, cash and drug paraphernalia, county Detective Ben Rudolph said.
Rudolph said the investigation began when he was contacted by Bedford detectives, who provided him with information about possible criminal activity at the residence.
A search warrant, signed by Jackson Superior Court I Judge Bruce Markel, was executed by officers assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s SWAT team.
Anthony Lane also was initially charged with maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and three counts of dealing in methamphetamine. The remaining counts were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
He also received 145 days credit and 145 days credit time and was ordered to submit to an alcohol and drug abuse program for evaluation and treatment or therapy if needed.
Ronetta Lane faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia and is scheduled to stand trial at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 5.
Jennifer East pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to two years in prison April 5. Poynter suspended 624 days of that sentence and gave her credit for 53 days served. Possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance charges were dismissed.
The Blakes both received 180-day sentences April 23 after pleading guilty to Class B misdemeanor charges of visiting a common nuisance, while Joshua Lane and Tucker Brewer both accepted pre-trial deferments, allowing them to avoid jail time in exchange for staying out of trouble.
Officers with the Bedford Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Brownstown Police Department and Medora Police Department assisted with the investigation and arrests.