Greensburg — The Hope Police Department, after receiving information regarding the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, began a nine-day investigation that culminated in three arrests this week.  The first home targeted was located at 14059 West State Road 46 in Greensburg. A search warrant was served and executed by the Hope Police Department with the help of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, Greensburg Police Department, Indiana State Police and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday, March 5.

Items were found immediately during the search, and the home’s occupants were placed into custody. At this point, a search of the home and adjacent barn was conducted. The barn had been identified in the warrant obtained from the Decatur County courts as being a possible location in which methamphetamine was being manufactured. Found at the house and barn were items used in the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, anhydrous and paraphernalia.

A second warrant was executed Tuesday when Hope Reserve Officer Keith Lawson spotted Bradley Armstrong at 230 N Washington Street in Hartsville. Officer Lawson detained Armstrong so that second warrant could be executed, which was secured from the Bartholomew County courts. Armstrong was taken into custody after officers found items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. At the search site, two very large tanks of anhydrous were located along with other items. Several weapons were also located and seized at this location.

“In the beginning of this nine day information gathering period, it was just so disturbing to me that most of these adults conducted their operations with a minor child present,” said Hope Town Marshal Randy Bailey through a press release.

“The Hope Police Department was able to secure responsible family members to place the child into safe custody,” Marshal Bailey continued. “When minor children are involved, we are required to contact Child Protective Services and reports will be filed.”

Marshal Bailey commented on the investigation further.

“With the size of the Hope Police Department and a paid staff of three, I knew we had to reach out for manpower and other resources to secure the proper documentation in making this a successful operation. The most difficult, I knew, would be the Decatur County residence due to having to cross into another jurisdiction. When I first started with Hope Police back in 1988, I met former Town Marshal Greg Allen of Westport, who would later become an Indiana State Trooper and who is now the Sheriff of Decatur County,” said Bailey.

“Over the years, I have kept in contact with Sheriff Allen. He immediately put me in contact with officers at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and the Greensburg City Police who assisted with the writing of the search warrant affidavit within their jurisdiction,” Bailey explained.

An actual working methamphetamine lab was located at 10459 West State Road 46 in Decatur County. This lab was dismantled by the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab team who helped search, identify and collect the evidence and dismantle the lab properly. Some of the Hope Police Reserve Officers, once notified, took benefit time from their paid jobs to assist in collecting visual and audible evidence and “worked tirelessly in surveillance,” Marshal Bailey noted.

Walls, 48, was arrested on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of precursors, possession of anhydrous, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia and neglect of a dependent.

Armstrong has been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of anhydrous, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.

Also arrested was Lisa Mozingo, 47, of Hartsville, who faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.

“When I first started with Hope Police back in 1988, I met former Town Marshal Greg Allen of Westport, who would later become an Indiana State Trooper and who is now the Sheriff of Decatur County,” said Bailey. “Over the years, I have kept in contact with Sheriff Allen. He immediately put me in contact with officers at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and the Greensburg City Police who assisted with the writing of the search warrant affidavit within their jurisdiction,” Bailey explained.

“Special thanks and recognition should be given to Officer Matthew Tallent with the Hope Police Department who, at one point, worked a 72-hour time frame with minimum rest.” Marshal Bailey also commended the efforts of Hope reserve officers Greg Potts, Rick Everroad, Travis Harbaugh, Keith Lawson and Heather Elmore.



— Daily News