For The Tribune
JENNINGS COUNTY
Sheriff’s deputies in Jennings County confiscated more than two pounds of methamphetamine, believed to be the largest such seizure in department history with an estimated street value in excess of $100,000.
Deputies arrested Larry Janes, 65, North Vernon, and Kimberly L. Tungate, 28, North Vernon, on charges of dealing and possession of methamphetamine after a traffic stop in Center Township at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at County Road 300N and State Road 7, said Lt. Mike Mowery, sheriff’s department spokesman.
Janes was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz when stopped by the deputy for failing to dim the vehicle’s headlights, Mowery said. During the investigation, deputies located the methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a plastic container inside the car, he said.
At about 10 a.m. Tuesday, deputies used a search warrant to enter Janes’ residence on Whitehall Drive in Country Squire Lakes, Mowery said. Inside, they confiscated six firearms, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and about five ounces of methamphetamine, he said.
The methamphetamine inside the house appeared to be packaged for sale, Mowery said.
Janes is being held in the Jennings County Jail without bond on the following preliminary charges:
Felony dealing in methamphetamine
Felony possession of methamphetamine with a firearm
Felony possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
Felony possession of a syringe
Misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia
Misdemeanor possession of marijuana
Misdemeanor maintaining a common nuisance
Tungate is being held without bond in the Jennings County Jail on charges of:
Felony dealing in methamphetamine
Felony possession of methamphetamine with a firearm
Felony possession of a controlled substance
Misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia
Misdemeanor possession of marijuana
Misdemeanor maintaining a common nuisance.
Sheriff Gary Driver praised the deputies’ hard work and persistence in fighting the drug problem in Jennings County. He also credited the ongoing working relationship with the North Vernon Police Department and Indiana State Police and surrounding county agencies with helping in the fight against drugs.