An investigation last week into a stolen firearm led to the arrest of two women for meth possession and new charges of dealing methamphetamine against a man who had just been arrested the day before on four different warrants.

Ren Daniel Barton, 32, Linton, was arrested on Tuesday night, February 18, on four different warrants that were out for his arrest, plus one Writ of Attachment.

In one case, Barton was wanted for driving while suspended with a prior conviction within the previous ten years. In another case also involving driving while suspended with a prior, he was a no-show at an initial hearing and a warrant was issued.

In a third case, he didn’t show up at a change of plea and sentencing hearing on yet another charge of driving while suspended with a prior, and in a fourth case, a warrant was issued when he failed to appear at a pre-trial conference in a case of operating a vehicle without a license – second offense.

The Writ of Attachment was issued with a cash-only bond of $500.

The day after Barton was taken into custody, Deputy David Elmore was dispatched to investigate a report of a stolen 9 mm pistol from a residence in the Linton area. When Deputy Elmore arrived and talked to the residents, they pointed to suspects at another residence where Barton had just been arrested the night before on his warrants.

Deputy Elmore reported that when he and Deputy Jordan Allor arrived at the residence, they went to the door the residents use most frequently and through glass doors, they could plainly see a woman, Morgan Scott, asleep on a blow-up mattress. They said right next to her head was a table with a bag containing a white substance, black digital scales and a purple plate.

The deputies made contact with Scott and then with others present in the residence, including Josette Rice, and secured a consent to search the residence.

Other officers arrived to assist and Deputy Elmore reported they found multiple bags of a substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine, digital scales, multiple used syringes, cut down straws, marijuana, a grinder and pipes with residue.

Interviews were conducted then two women were arrested plus a new case was filed against Barton.

Morgan Elaine Scott, 24, Linton, was arrested and was being held without bond pending her appearance in court. She is facing a preliminary charge of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.

Josette M. Rice, 36, Linton, was arrested and was being held without bond pending her appearance in court. She is facing preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances, a Level 6 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

In the newest case filed against Barton, he is facing preliminary charges of:

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

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

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

• Unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony.

No additional information has been released regarding the status of the investigation into the stolen firearm.