Clay County Sheriff’s Department: Three Local Men Arrested In Narcotics Investigation

Clay County Justice Center Photos

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has made several arrests on warrants from a lengthy drug investigation.

The Criminal Investigative Division was in charge of the investigation by Narcotics Detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to Sheriff Brison Swearingen, these efforts led to the following arrests:

James Shepard,47, of Centerpoint, IN, was located in Brazil, Indiana. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Clay County Jail on the following charging information:

• (Arrest Warrant) Dealing Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony; and

• (Arrest Warrant) Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 Felony.

During the arrest, deputies and detectives located additional illegal items, including methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Shepard has additional charging information from that incident, including:

• Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 5 Felony; and Possession of Paraphernalia - C Misdemeanor.

Shepard is being held on a $2,500 bond on the warrant and a $10,000 bond with no 10% for the additional charging information.

John F. Crafton Jr., 53, of Brazil, IN, was located at a residence in Brazil, Indiana. Crafton was arrested without incident, transported, and booked into the Clay County Jail on the following charging information:

• (Arrest Warrant) Dealing Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony; and

• (Arrest Warrant) Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 Felony.

During the arrest, deputies and detectives applied for a search warrant for the residence. During the search, officers found additional illegal items, including methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Crafton has additional charging information, including:

• Maintaining a Common Nuisance - Level 6 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 Felony; and Possession of Paraphernalia a C Misdemeanor.

Crafton is held on a $2,500 bond on the warrant and a $7,000 bond with 10% for the additional charging information.

Woodrow W. Hill, 53, of Brazil, IN, was located operating a vehicle near Posey Township. Deputies made a traffic stop, and he was arrested without incident, transported, and booked into the Clay County Jail on the following charging information:

• (Arrest Warrant) Dealing Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony; and

• (Arrest Warrant) Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 Felony.

Hill is being held on a $25,000 bond with 10% acceptable.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana State Police assisted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office during the investigations and arrests. If anyone has information regarding illegal narcotics activity in Clay County, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (812)446-2535 or submit a tip on the Sheriff’s Office Mobile App.

*NOTE: All individuals named in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.