Joe Hornaday
Serving warrants in the town of Westport led to the busting of another methamphetamine lab and an arrest late Wednesday afternoon.
Jonathon P. Grider, Sr., 37, 307 S. West Street, Westport, was arrested on a multitude of charges, including manufacturing more than three grams of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm, resisting law enforcement with a firearm, possession of two or more methamphetamine precursors, possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of more than 10 grams of psuedoephedrine. All of the charges are felonies.
Indiana State Police Troopers were assisting Decatur County Corrections Director Mark Cripe serve warrants Wednesday afternoon. While Master Tpr. Jim Ponsler was helping out with the detail, one of the people he had arrested remarked to him about another crime. The arrestee told him that there was more meth to be found at 9998 S. CR 800 W., near Westport. After Tpr. Ponsler finished assisting Cripe, he went back to the residence to follow up on the information.
Upon arrival at the location at about 3:30 p.m., Ponsler said he noticed a male sitting in a pickup truck with the passenger side door open and his legs hanging outside. He cautiously approached the individual, Jonathan P. Grider, Sr.
“As I’m talking to him, I can see some syringes,” Ponsler explained. “It went downhill from there for him.”
Ponsler quickly grew suspicious, but could not smell drugs or alcohol on Grider.
“One of the tools you use is your nose,” he said.
Upon further investigation, Ponsler asked about the syringes and Grider became belligerent and began to fight with the troopers, according to an ISP press release.
Ponsler then witnessed Grider attempt to put his hands in his pockets. Ponsler and fellow Tpr. Chris Howell immediately grabbed him and took him down to the ground, slapping a pair of handcuffs on him. Grider resisted, and in the scuffle a handgun fell out of his clothes.
“I don’t know if he was going for the gun (when he reached into his pockets) or not,” Ponsler said.
Grider was taken into custody by Ponsler and Howell with the assistance of Tpr. Joe Prather. After he had been taken into custody, it was discovered that Grider also had approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine on him.
A subsequent search of the nearby barn and an out building on the property revealed a functioning methamphetamine lab. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called in to dismantle the lab, and Grider was booked at the Decatur County Jail.
But the bad news for Grider did not end there. Earlier in the day, his son Jonathon P. Grider, Jr., 19, 9998 CR 800 S., Westport, was arrested on a bench warrant for aiding escape. Police believe he helped a female juvenile remove an ankle monitor bracelet and then tried to flee with the minor. For the younger Grider, this arrest makes three within the last month. He is currently out on bond for minor consumption and resisting law enforcement charges stemming from a Jan. 29 scuffle with Westport police as well as a minor consumption charge on Feb. 14.
