Rural Linton couple charged with dealing large quantities of methamphetamine

Warrants were issued in Greene County in July for a rural Linton couple believed to be dealing methamphetamine in large quantities to a large number of people in Greene and other counties. As a result of an ongoing investigation by the Greene County Drug Task Force, the two were taken into custody on US 41 in Sullivan County in July, allegedly transporting around four pounds of meth from out-of-state back to Greene County. They’re facing criminal charges in both counties. Both have now appeared in court in Greene County with bonds set at $100,000.

Martin Servin Guzman

Barbara Elizabeth Guzman

Martin Servin Guzman, 57 at time of arrest, now 58, and Barbara Elizabeth Guzman, 59, both of rural Linton, were arrested and booked into the Sullivan County Jail in July.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed at that time in Greene Superior Court, an investigator from the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office and members of the Greene County Drug Task Force had reason to believe the Guzmans were dealing methamphetamine to a large number of people spread across multiple counties. Transactions were allegedly taking place from a camper parked in the front yard of a residence on South County Road 1600 West, rural Linton, and from numerous motel rooms in various locations.

Investigators said evidence indicated the Guzmans also utilized “what would essentially be described as an ‘honor box’ system wherein individuals would pick up pre-determined quantities of methamphetamine and leave pre-determined amounts of money in exchange for the methamphetamine.”

The Guzmans utilized a gray Mitsubishi Eclipse and a silver Ford Explorer, both registered to Barbara Guzman, and investigators said they were associating with local individuals familiar to law enforcement and known to be involved in methamphetamine activity.

According to the affidavit, investigators have evidence that makes it clear the Guzmans were dealing methamphetamine to numerous individuals and also communicating with more than one source of supply in Arizona.

The affidavit states officers were able to verify through a variety of resources and data from search warrants, that the Guzmans have made multiple trips to Arizona, possibly once a week, to obtain multiple pounds of meth then return to Indiana to distribute it.

The Guzmans took a trip to Arizona in mid-July and were under surveillance on their way home to Greene County, each driving a vehicle, each with one passenger on board when both vehicles were stopped on US 41 in Sullivan County. Officers utilized K-9s on both vehicles which resulted in search warrants being issued for both vehicles.

Martin Guzman was allegedly found to have a white crystal-like substance, that field-tested positive as methamphetamine, in his sock. His passenger was found with a syringe and a green plant-like material. Both were arrested.

Both Barbara Guzman and her passenger were also arrested. Investigators reported that the passenger in Barbara Guzman’s vehicle was found with a glass smoking pipe with a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Officers allegedly found a zip lock bag containing a white crystal-like substance, weighing approximately one-quarter of a pound, located in a purse in the dash of the driver’s side of the vehicle, along with a large amount of cash.

In addition, in Barbara Guzman’s vehicle, officers reported finding digital scales with residue under the driver’s seat, and inside a backpack in the trunk, two large clear plastic packages each containing a white crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Each of the two packages weighed approximately two pounds for a total of four pounds of methamphetamine.

Following their arrests, a search warrant was executed on the camper on the Greene County property. Among the items found there, officers reported locating a large sum of cash in excess of $35,000 that was bagged up in plastic bags inside a safe.

At that time, the Guzmans were booked into the Sullivan County Jail and both were charged in Sullivan County, then more recently, transported to the Greene County Jail for initial hearings in Greene County.

Barbara Guzman was being housed in the Daviess County Jail for Sullivan County and was the first of the two to be transported to the Greene County for an initial hearing.

During her hearing in Greene Superior Court last week on Tuesday morning, September 22, she was charged with:

• Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount between five and 10 grams with an enhancing circumstance, a Level 2 felony, and

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.

A public defender, Ellen Martin, was appointed to represent her and her bond was set at $100,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

Martin Guzman was being housed in the Sullivan County Jail and was transported this week to Greene County for his initial hearing.

During his hearing, also in Greene Superior Court, on Tuesday morning, September 29, he was charged with:

• Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount between five and 10 grams with an enhancing circumstance, a Level 2 felony, and

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.

A public defender, Tim Shonk, was appointed to represent him and his bond was also set at $100,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

Both have now been transported out of Greene County back into Sullivan County custody until their next hearings.