17 arrested in local drug sweep

LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - Seventeen people from LaGrange Co. were arrested Tuesday night, all facing drug-related charges.

The most serious charges are for manufacturing and dealing Methamphetamine.

While serving the warrants, officers found two active meth labs.

A total of 13 law enforcement agencies were involved in the warrant sweep which has been in the works for about a year.

LaGrange County Sheriff Terry Martin touted the work of the I.M.A.G.E. Drug Task Force which worked the year-long investigation. He also said concerned neighbors were pivotol to this sweep.

"I give a lot of credit to the people in this county," said Martin. "They're coming forward and saying, 'hey, enough is enough.'"

Martin went on to say that the group would put a dent in meth use and production in the county because many of them were dealing  as well as using. Health concerns for the 17 arrested were top of mind, though. Martin said several had medical issues and one young woman was due to give birth very soon.

Arrested were:

Scott N. Pearson, 37

Larry Burlew Jr., 37

Brandi N. Lewis, 25

Danielle Hedges, 31

Roy E. Lewis, 46

Michael J. Sisson, 29

Ernestine Ellis, 48

Misty Leigh Ellis, 18

Geoffrey A. March II, 22

Michael L. Sawyer, 20

Justin A. Combs, 25

Joseph E. Fuller, 41

Cody S. Ritchie, 21

Cory M. Richards, 26

Robert Ellis, 29

Holly M. Lucas, 23

Kristina L. Mapes, 24