ISP investigation into meth activity results in arrest

An ongoing ISP investigation into suspected meth activity in Greene County resulted in several troopers knocking on a door in the Springville area to execute a search warrant at 1:35 a.m. last Thursday. One man was arrested and was in court this week facing drug charges.

James Timothy Merriman

James Timothy Merriman, 47, Springville, was arrested by Indiana State Police Trooper Caleb Garvin early last Thursday, June 18.

Merriman was suspected of dealing methamphetamine in Greene County for some time – at least as far back as March when ISP received information that Merriman was buying and using meth at his residence on Burnett Lane, Springville. ISP was also made aware of a lot of vehicle traffic in and around the residence at all hours of the day and night.

An investigation into the reports began and last week concluded with Merriman’s arrest when ISP Troopers and personnel from the Lawrence County HIT (Highway Interdiction Team) converged on Merriman’s residence with a search warrant.

According to information released by the ISP Bloomington Post, and probable cause affidavits, the investigation included interviews, surveillance and traffic stops.

Then last Thursday, June 18, around 1:21 a.m., a judge approved Trooper Garvin’s request for a search warrant for Merriman’s residence, garage and camper. By 1:35 a.m., Trooper Garvin had arrived at Merriman’s, along with ISP Sgt. Greg Day, Trooper Chance Humphrey, Trooper Cody Brown and Officer Shaun Cabral of the HIT Team to execute the search warrant.

Trooper Garvin reported Merriman was located inside his camper and they located approximately three grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, baggies and other evidence of dealing.

Merriman was taken into custody, transported and booked into the Greene County Jail around 3:40 a.m. He was initially held without bond pending court appearance.

Trooper Garvin reported that during an interview conducted the next afternoon, Merriman said he buys methamphetamine in Bloomington and deals it to a few close friends from time to time.

Preliminary charges filed against Merriman included:

• Dealing in methamphetamine between one and five grams, a Level 4 felony,

• Dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony,

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

• Maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony,

• Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, and

• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

The first and sixth counts (shown in italics) were not approved by a judge and so when Merriman appeared at his initial hearing this Tuesday, June 23, he was formally charged with the remaining four counts. Merriman was not charged with Level 4 felony dealing or the misdemeanor paraphernalia counts.

During the hearing, a public defender was appointed to represent Merriman and his bond was set at $19,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

He has since posted $1,900 and been released from jail.