TOP STORY OF THE DAY: 5 arrested on drug charges in recent sweep

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department served arrest warrants for drug-related charges this week.

“Our deputies and detectives are taking a proactive approach to drug investigations,” said Sheriff Brison Swearingen Thursday, urging people to call the department to provide tips. “Call if there is anything suspicious in your neighborhood. A lot of times, drug investigations are a lengthy process. It doesn’t happen overnight, but our detectives will investigate.”

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office served three arrest warrants for drug-related charges Wednesday. The unrelated arrests resulted from a lengthy Clay County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division investigation.

All three of the individuals were already in custody for unrelated charges at the time when the arrest warrants were served, including:

Jeremy Lovett, 38, Brazil, incarcerated in Vigo County Jail with a $50,000 Cash Bond, with no 10% acceptable on Clay County allegations of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine — Level 2 Felony

Lovett is also wanted on Vigo County allegations in Division 5 Court, with a $10,000 cash bond.

Glen L. Ketz, 48, of Brazil, is incarcerated at Clay County Justice Center with two consecutive bonds totaling $50,000 cash bond with no 10% acceptable on Clay County allegations of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine — Level 3 Felony

Dealing in Methamphetamine — Level 4 Felony

Danna J. Lowder, 56, of Brazil, is incarcerated at Clay County Justice Center with a total of $55,000 consecutive cash bonds with 10% acceptable, but also has a hold out of Putnam County on further charges:

Dealing in Methamphetamine — Level 2 Felony

On Thursday, Swearingen said officers were in Van Buren Township to serve another warrant.

Veronica L. Huff, 51, Carbon, is now incarcerated at Clay County Justice Center with no bond for:

Dealing in Methamphetamine — Level 2 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine — Level 4 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine — Level 6 Felony- new charge

Possession of Paraphernalia — Level C misdemeanor - new charge

Robert E. Peffley, 51, Carbon, was found with Huff. Peffley had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. On probation, Clay County Probation was contacted and conducted a home search, yielding suspected methamphetamine and paraphernalia. As a result, Pefley was arrested and taken into custody with no bond on the following charges:

Violation of Probation/Petitiom to revoke suspended sentence - warrant

Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 felony - new charge

Possession of paraphernalia - Level C Misdemeanor - new charge

All cases have been forwarded to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.

NOTE: All individuals in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department is the home of the central dispatch system for all local law enforcement, including town marshals and fire departments, and the contact number to report strange issues is 812-446-2535, EXT- 5.

If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, or you fear for your safety or the safety of others, call 911.