Four people arrested in JNET overdose investigation

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Four local residents were arrested in connection with a drug investigation and report of a drug overdose at 311 Cleveland St.

The Joint Counter Narcotics Team (JNET) and the Intelligence Led Police Unit (ILP) received information about drug trafficking taking place in the house, said Sgt. Skylar Berry, Columbus police spokesperson.

On May 16, Columbus police were called to the home for a drug overdose. A man reportedly overdosed and was taken to hospital for treatment.

During the investigation, a search warrant was obtained by JNET to search the home. Inside, investigators found more than 50 grams of methamphetamine along with packaging materials, digital scales, syringes and other drug paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation, Jessica Comstock, 37, 311 Cleveland St., Dustin Harden, 19, 311 Cleveland St., and Chase Barnhart, 20, 13660 W. County Road 170S, were arrested, Berry said. All are being held without bond at the Bartholomew County Jail, jail officials said.

Preliminary fees include:

Harden: maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony, and possession of a narcotic, a level 6 felony

Barnhart: Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor

Keith Cherry, 35, whose address is not available, was not at the home at the time, but an arrest warrant was issued following this investigation. On May 30, intelligence-led police unit investigators located Cherry at 5271 S. Pine St. and took him into custody on his warrant for trafficking methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony.

Comstock: trafficking methamphetamine, a level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony, maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony, neglect of a dependent person, a level 6 felony, possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office, Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office, targets the manufacture and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and in Bartholomew County.