Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of Elkhart County

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Mar 25, 2009 - NAPPANEE METH LAB SEIZED

Elkhart County Interdiction & Covert Enforcement Unit (ICE) is comprised of officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, the Goshen Police Department and the Nappanee Police Department

 

“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”

 

 

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

 

                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

METHAMPHETAMINE LAB IN NAPPANEE HIT BY I.C.E. AND INDIANA STATE POLICE ERT & NAPPANEE CITY POLICE

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Bill Wargo, 296-1888

 

In 2008 the Nappanee Police Department began receiving intelligence that a subject by the name of Jimmy L. McGowan was allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine in the Nappanee area. The information indicated that there were a number of different locations that may have been used.

The intelligence also indicated that several persons were suspected of trading pseudophedrine tablets to the suspect in exchange for small quantities of manufactured methamphetamine.

 

 

 

 

On March 17th, 19th and the 24th Elkhart County I.C.E. unit officers verified certain information that had been provided concerning these allegations. A search warrant was obtained by Elkhart County I.C.E. unit and with the assistance of the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) and uniformed officers of the Nappanee Police Department the warrant was served at 8:52pm on March 24, 2009. The location was 70143 CR3, Nappanee.

The warrant that was obtained was a high risk, “No Knock” warrant and this was based on information that the suspect may be armed and dangerous. McGowan is currently on parole for a weapons violation from 2005 and had a prior weapons violation in 2002.

Once the ERT made entry and secured the residence officers of the Elkhart County I.C.E. unit and officers of the Indiana State Police Covert Methamphetamine Lab Team discovered one active methamphetamine lab in the suspect’s bedroom. They also found suspected finished methamphetamine and another one pot cook method lab in the freezer.

Jimmy McGowan, AKA: Twin, age 35 was taken into custody and booked into the Elkhart County Jail on one count of Manufacturing Methamphetamine in excess of 3 grams a Class A Felony.

 

 

Along with McGowan, Tracy McDaniel, age 36 was also arrested and charged with the same offense. The property where the mobile home was located belongs to Ms. McDaniel’s parents.

There were additional persons inside of the mobile home that were also arrested. Based on interviews it is suspected that these persons were at the mobile home to purchase illegal drugs.

 

 

The following persons were arrested for Frequenting a Common Nuisance, a Class B Misdemeanor:

 

1.      Edward Ray Ricketts Randolph, age 33 of Mishawaka

2.      Tina Baker, age 35 of Mishawaka

3.      Trevor Gochenour, age 29, of Nappanee

4.      Tamara Kirby, age 37 of Nappanee

5.      Jason Housour, age 35 of Plymouth

 

 

 

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