The owner of a business in eastern Greene County and his wife were arrested Wednesday as a result of an investigation by Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement officers. Both are accused of dealing methamphetamine in substantial quantities and have been charged with Level 2 and 3 felony counts.

Jeffery Dean Taylor, 56, and Brandy Jae Taylor, 44, were booked in to the Greene County Jail Wednesday by ISP Troopers. They are both being held on bond of $80,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

According to information in probable cause documents prepared by ISP Detective Joshua Allen, Jeffery Taylor is the owner of Iron Pit Restorations and the couple resides at 3362 North State Road 45, Solsberry.

Det. Allen is alleging that both Taylors took part in transactions during August and September involving the sale of methamphetamine in amounts over 10 grams either at their home or business. Evidence includes video and audio recordings of the transactions.

Earlier on the day of their arrest, on Wednesday, Det. Allen was granted a search warrant for the Taylor property including a white Chevrolet truck.

Jeffery Taylor, the driver of the truck, was then stopped on Lone Tree Road near Greene County General Hospital in the Linton area. ISP troopers and a detective assisted by at least one member of the Greene County Drug Task Force then searched the vehicle.

Det. Allen reported that during the search of the truck, they located 18 grams of a crystal substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine, digital scales, needles and a glass smoking device. He said the methamphetamine was pre-packaged for sale and all these items were located in a pouch on the driver’s side floorboard.

Jeffery Taylor was taken into custody and transported to jail.

Additional troopers then executed the search warrant at the Taylor property on SR 45. They reported Brandy Taylor was present but was uncooperative, also taken into custody and transported to jail.

Det. Allen reported that during the search of the residence, they found 180 grams of a crystal substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine, digital scales and packaging items.

They also reported seizing approximately $15,000 in cash.

During a subsequent interview with Jeffery Taylor at the Greene County Jail, he allegedly admitted to obtaining and dealing methamphetamine. Regarding the amount of cash recovered, he said some of the money was from sales of meth, but $11,000 was from the sale of a vehicle.

Det. Allen noted that in total, the Taylors were allegedly in possession of almost a half-pound of methamphetamine.

Some of the personnel involved in the investigation and arrests included ISP Troopers Allen, Matthew Fleener, Chris Griggs, Greg Day, Jon Patrick, Caleb Garvin, Richard Klun, Allen Deel, Mark Clephane and Jasonville Police Assistant Chief Ryan Van Horn.

The criminal cases against both Taylors were filed in Greene Circuit Court early Thursday by Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw before both appeared before Judge Erik Allen for their initial hearings.

Jeffery Taylor has been charged with three counts of dealing in methamphetamine in an amount of 10 or more grams - all as Level 2 felonies, and possession of methamphetamine in an amount of 28 or more grams – a Level 3 felony.

Brandy Taylor has been charged with two counts of dealing in methamphetamine in an amount of 10 or more grams – both as Level 2 felonies, and one count of possession of methamphetamine in amount of 28 or more grams – a Level 3 felony.

Both Taylors requested indigent counsel be appointed. Deputy Public Defender Ellen Martin was appointed to represent Jeffery Taylor and Public Defender Alan Baughman was appointed to represent Brandy Taylor. On Friday, both defense attorneys filed motions to reduce bond for their client.

Future court dates for conferences and jury trials were set, however those dates will likely change.

In both cases, Judge Allen elected to refer the case to a facilitator indicating he is recusing himself from future proceedings.

On Friday, a facilitator assigned Special Judge William Sleva of Lawrence County to preside over both cases.