A 55-year-old Jasonville woman was arrested Sunday after an Indiana conservation officer investigating activity in a closed portion of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area allegedly discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Tara K. Helton was arrested Aug. 2 and is charged with Level 5 felony possession of methamphetamine with an enhancing circumstance and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed Aug. 4, Indiana Conservation Officer Dustin Cary was patrolling the Thousand Island Pit area of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area around 1:30 p.m. when he located a Buick registered to Helton parked near an area closed for reclamation.

Cary reported seeing rocks being thrown from the top of a nearby hill before Helton appeared. When questioned, Helton allegedly told the officer she was collecting rocks to polish and use as edging around her garden.

The officer told Helton it was illegal to remove rocks or minerals from state property, and she agreed to return the rocks she had collected, according to the affidavit.

Cary then requested permission to search Helton's vehicle, which she granted. During the search, he allegedly found an improvised glass smoking device containing burnt residue he believed was consistent with methamphetamine use, as well as a second glass smoking device.

After Cary told Helton she was being arrested, he warned her that bringing contraband into the jail could result in an additional charge. Helton then allegedly admitted she had concealed items on her person.

According to court documents, Helton retrieved a small smoking device and then a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance. The substance later field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Helton allegedly told the officer she had used methamphetamine the previous day but had not used it that day.

The affidavit notes that Helton has a previous conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Prosecutors charged her with Level 5 felony possession based on an enhancing circumstance related to the prior conviction.

Helton was transported to the Greene County Jail, and the suspected methamphetamine and smoking devices were seized as evidence. No bond was allowed at the time of her arrest.

She appeared in Greene Circuit Court on Aug. 4 where a bond of $10,000 surety with 10% cash allowed was set.