22 arrested in Noble Co. drug raid

NOBLE COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) Noble County officials arrested 22 people in connection to alleged criminal activity that happened throughout the course of 14 months. A juvenile was also taken into custody.

The 22 arrest warrants were served early Wednesday morning by officers from multiple agencies. 20 of the 22 defendants are expected to make their initial court appearance on Thursday, March 7.

Photo Gallery: 22 arrested in Noble Co. drug raid

The following individuals face charges in connection to the Wednesday raid:

• Derid J. Becker, 31, of Kendallville: Three counts of dealing in controlled substance, class A felony; Dealing in controlled substance, class B felony; and taking a juvenile to a nuisance, class A misdemeanor.
   
• Jerid L. Becker, 31, of Topeka: Two counts of dealing methamphetamine, class A felony.
   
• Nathan J. Brady, 22, of Kendallville: Dealing controlled substance and dealing methamphetamine, each as a class A felony.
   
• Alden R. Cochran, 54, of Kendallville: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony.
   
• Heather N. Collins, 21, of Kendallville: Dealing methamphetamine, class B felony; Dealing Controlled Substance, class B felony; Dealing synthetic drug, class D felony; and taking a child to a nuisance, class A misdemeanor.
   
• Wendi R. Florez, 32, of Kendallville: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony
   
• Gerald W. Grider, Age 42, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing controlled substance, class B felony.
   
• Judy A. Hershberger, 55, of Topeka: Receiving stolen property, class D felony.
   
• Jonathan D. Hillsburg, 34, of Muskegon, Michigan: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony.
   
• Starmarie L. Hillsburg, 32 of Muskegon, Michigan: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony.
   
• Nathan K. Hinsch, Age 24, of Kendallville: Three counts of dealing methamphetamine, class B felony; and a single count of dealing in a legend drug, class D felony.
   
• Steven R. Hostler, III, 21, of Kendallville: Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor.
   
• Brandon S. Keister, 21, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing methamphetamine, class B felony; and a single count of dealing in a legend drug, class D felony.
   
• Cody C. Langley, 23, of Kendallville: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony; Dealing controlled substance, class C felony; and dealing marijuana, class D felony.
   
• Amy M. Melchi, 25, of Avilla: Dealing methamphetamine, class B felony.
   
• Shaye Nartker, 22 of Kendallville: Dealing in methamphetamine, class B felony and taking a child to a nuisance, class A misdemeanor.
   
• Marjorie F. Parker, 24, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing in controlled substance, class B felony; neglect of dependent, class D felony; and two counts of taking a child to a nuisance, class A misdemeanor.
   
• Anthony Short, 40, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing methamphetamine, class A felony. Short has also been charged in LaGrange County with a single count of dealing methamphetamine as a class A felony.
   
• Chad N. Smith, 40, of Kendallville: Dealing methamphetamine, class A felony.
   
• Joshua P. Sparkman, 40, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing methamphetamine, class A felony.
   
• Carrie E. Stahl 32, of Kendallville: Two counts of dealing controlled substance, class A felony; two counts dealing methamphetamine, class A felony; and taking child to a nuisance, class A misdemeanor.
   
• Stephanie R. Thompson, 26, of Kendallville: Dealing controlled substance, class B felony.
   
• 17-year-old female:  She was detained at a local juvenile facility on the allegation of dealing marijuana, class D felony.

The arrests were part of the efforts of the I.M.A.G.E.task force:
I.M.A.G.E. (Indiana Multi Agency Group Enforcement) is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force made up of officers from the counties of Steuben, LaGrange, Noble and DeKalb Counties. IMAGE investigates drug related crimes and is funded in part by a grant from the Edward Byrne memorial JAG grant administered through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. IMAGE also receives funding through area prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and organizations like Drug Free Noble County and other civic and community groups. The fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and all persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.