Tribune staff reports
Police responding to a report of a domestic disturbance near North Vernon on Saturday night arrested two people on charges related to the production and sale of methamphetamine.
One of the two arrested, Emma K. Kiefer, 29, of North Vernon, also faces a neglect of a dependent charge after police found her two children in the residence along with an active methamphetamine lab, drugs and drug paraphernalia, according to a news release from Lt. Mike Mowery with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.
Kiefer and Patrick Sweany, 46, of North Vernon, both face Level 5 felony charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and Level 6 felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture and visiting/maintaining a common nuisance.
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The incident began when Jennings County Sgt. Allen Ritchie and Officer Drew Heilers responded to the report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Country Manor at Country Squire Lakes on North Vernon’s northwest side.
While en route to that residence, Jennings County dispatchers received information from the Indiana State Police about possible drug activity there and relayed that information to county officers.
When officers arrived at the scene, they reported finding Sweany and Kiefer and her two children inside the residence, which is owned by Sweany.
Kiefer had a warrant for theft and was immediately taken into custody, police said.
While inside the home, officers reported seeing drugs and drug paraphernalia, and Ritchie said he received permission from Sweany to search the home.
During the search, an active methamphetamine lab was located, police said.
Jennings County Detective Sgt. Jeff Jones and Indiana State Police Trooper Marty Mead were called to dismantle the lab, and Jennings County Department of Child Services was called to the scene for the children.
Sweany and Kiefer were both booked into the Jennings County Jail. Sweany was being held on a $3,055 bond. Kiefer was being held on a $3,055 bond for the charges stemming from the drug investigation along with a $2,500 bond for a writ of body attachment for nonsupport of a dependent child and a $1,055 bond for the warrant for theft.
Others assisting with the investigation include Sheriff Gary Driver and Jennings County officers Shawn Minton and Bryan Katterhenry.