Deputies investigating a burglary found the stolen goods they were looking for when they executed a search warrant in the Solsberry area. They also reported finding drugs, and children sleeping in the same room where the controlled substances and related paraphernalia were located.

Two adults were taken into custody when the search warrant was executed early Thursday, April 18.

Todd Earl Bryant, 29, Solsberry, was arrested by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy David Elmore.

Tracy Edward Taylor II, 28, Bloomfield, was arrested by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Davis Aerne.

The search warrant was issued to look for items taken in a burglary.  The items were believed to be located inside a residence at 9621 East Washboard Road, Solsberry.

Bryant lived at the residence along with his three juvenile children, another juvenile member of the family, and Bryant’s mother.

Taylor, who was at the residence at the time the search warrant was executed, had a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear in a pending case in which he was charged with driving while suspended – a knowing violation with a prior conviction, a Class A misdemeanor.

Deputy Elmore, the lead investigator, said that during this investigation officers had learned that Bryant was allegedly supplying the juvenile family member with marijuana both for personal use and to sell.

To execute the warrant, Deputy Elmore and Deputies Davis Aerne and Zachary Goad along with Deputy Marshal Jordan Allor of the Bloomfield Police Department, all arrived at the residence where they could see inside the front door, but when they knocked, nobody responded.

With Deputy Goad standing at the front door, and Deputy Elmore getting breech tools out of his patrol vehicle, Bryant allegedly went to the front door and locked it before going upstairs.

After announcing their presence at least three times with no response, deputies used the breeching tools to make entry through the front door.

According to a probable cause affidavit prepared by Deputy Elmore, he followed Bryant upstairs and so did Deputy Goad. Bryant was given commands to show his hands and get on the floor and he complied.

Once the officers determined which bedroom was Bryant’s and entered, they found two cribs where two children were sleeping. Another child was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. There was another bed in the room and at the end of the bed, there was a table with a “bong” sitting on it.

Deputy Elmore reported that in addition to finding the “bong” which is commonly used to smoke marijuana and field tested positive for the presence of marijauana, they found a burnt marijuana cigarette, digital scales, multiple clear zip lock style bags, hard tubes with white substances inside which field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

All of the stolen items were found inside another bedroom.

Both Bryant and Taylor were transported to the sheriff’s department and booked in to jail.  Taylor’s bond was set at $5,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $500 cash and was released later the same day. Bryant was held without bond pending his appearance in court.

Yesterday afternoon, on Wednesday, April 24, Bryant appeared in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing and was formally charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

• Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances, a Level 6 felony,

• Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor,

• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor, and

• Neglect of a dependent – places dependent in a situation that endangers the dependent, a Level 6 felony.

Bryant was initially booked into jail on additional charges but he was actually charged in court with the counts listed above.

Bryant’s bond was set at $13,000 with ten percent cash allowed.

Today, Thursday, April 25, Defense Attorney Joseph Lozano filed an appearance for the defendant.