Traffic Stop In Jennings Co. Leads to Arrest of Six

Two arrested during a traffic stop, and four arrested at a home in Spencer Township.

File Photo

(Jennings County, Ind.) - A traffic stop for an expired registration led to the arrest of two North Vernon residents for Dealing Methamphetamine and led the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Team and SWAT to a home in Spencer Township where a search warrant was executed.

The search of the house leads to the arrest of four additional individuals on drug-related charges, as well as the recovery of stolen property.

On Friday, January 24, 2020, at approximately 6:24 p.m. Sergeant Anthony Maberry initiated a traffic stop in the area of County Road 800 North and County Road 200 East in Sand Creek Township for an expired vehicle registration.

Deputy Maberry made contact with the driver, Rodney Mead, and a female passenger identified as Heather Cheesebrew. Deputy Maberry became suspicious of illegal activity and requested Sgt. Allen Ritchie and his canine Partner Vampir to assist.

Vampir gave a positive alert on the vehicle for the odor of illegal narcotics and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed over an ounce of Methamphetamine, Fentanyl and various items of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects were taken into custody.

Further investigation led the Jennings County Narcotics team and SWAT to an address in Spencer Township to execute a Search Warrant.

The Jennings County SWAT team executed the search warrant at approximately 3:20 a.m. During the search, deputies located Methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia inside of the home.

Two North Vernon residents, Michael Redkey and Richard Jackson were taken into custody at the scene.

Also taken into custody were two Seymour residents, Joel Shands and Tony Taylor. Deputies also located a stolen box trailer that had been reported as stolen from a North Vernon business in November 2019.

Arrested:

Rodney Mead, 51, of North Vernon, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $20,055 bond. 

Charges: Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine (10 or more
Grams), Level 3 Felony
Possession of Syringe, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Narcotic Drug, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor
Theft- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance, A
Misdemeanor
Driving While Suspended-Prior, A Misdemeanor

Heather Cheesebrew, 42, of North Vernon, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $20,055 bond.

Charges: Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine (10 or more
Grams), Level 3 Felony
Possession of Syringe, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Narcotic Drug, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor
Theft- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance, A
Misdemeanor

Michael Redkey, 23, of North Vernon, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $3,155 Bond.

Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor

Richard Jackson, 49, North Vernon, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $3,155 Bond.

Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor
Bench Warrant

Joel Shands, 39, of Seymour, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $3,155 Bond.

Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor

Tony Taylor, 43 of Seymour, is being held in the Jennings County Jail on a $3,155 Bond.

Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor