NET 43 Arrests Nine; Eight More Sought

Nine people were arrested throughout Kosciusko County by the Kosciusko County Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET 43). Pictured (L to R) are Jennifer Cole, Heather Bentley, Christopher Konkle, Tara Ott, Nickolas Toepfer, Dennis Deaton Jr. and John Vernon Rogers Jr. Not pictured are Richard Hagan, who is being held in the Noble County Jail, and Tasha Thompson, who is being held in the Elkhart County Jail. Photos provided.

Nine people were arrested throughout Kosciusko County in the overnight hours of Wednesday and into Thursday.

Eight more people are being sought on drug charges.

The Kosciusko County Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET 43) recently completed several months of covert surveillance and undercover operations by conducting Operation Wintertime, according to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

NET 43 agents and officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Syracuse Police Department, Warsaw Police Department, KCSO and Claypool Police Department arrested nine individuals on drug-related charges during the operation and eight other individuals are being searched for who have arrest warrants.

The following individuals were arrested:

• Jennifer Cole, 44, Warsaw, arrested for conspiring to commit dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony; corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony; obstruction of justice, a Level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a Class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia sentence enhancement, a Class A misdemeanor. Her bond was set at $25,250.

• Heather Bentley, 36,  Winona Lake, was arrested for dealing in a controlled substance, a Level 5 felony; dealing in a controlled substance, a Level 5 felony; and trafficking with an inmate, a Level 6 felony. Bond was set at $10,250.

• Richard Hagan, 35, Pierceton, was arrested for possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Bond was set at $5,250. He is currently being held in the Noble County Jail.

• Christopher Konkle, 47, Warsaw, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.

• Tara Ott, 43, Warsaw, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Bond was set at $5,250.

• Nickolas Toepfer, 34,  Shipshewana, was arrested for conspiring to commit dealing a controlled substance, a Level 5 felony; and conspiring to commit trafficking with an inmate, a Level 5 felony. Bond was set at $10,250.

• Tasha Thompson, 35, Milford, was arrested for dealing methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 Felony. Bond was set at $20,250. Thompson is currently being held in the Elkhart County Jail.

• Dennis Deaton Jr., 49,  Warsaw, was arrested for possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, sentence enhancement, a Class A misdemeanor.

• John Vernon Rogers Jr., 34, Warsaw, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony; possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony.

Warrants

Arrest warrants have been issued for the following people.

If you know the location of any of these individuals, notify local law enforcement agency or contact the NET 43 tip line at NET43@kcgov.com or by telephone at 574-372-2494.

• James Collins, 44,  Warsaw, possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony; possession of a legend drug, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

• Tracy Julian, 51,  Warsaw, possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony; and possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony.

• Ryan Mckinney, 27,  North Webster, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; driving while suspended, a Class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

• Christopher Schisler, 18, Cromwell, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

• Shaun Cabrera, 33,  North Webster, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

• Brian Julian, 51,  Warsaw, theft, a Level 5 felony; and criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor.

• Julie Ann Decker, 40,  Silver Lake, possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony; possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle with a controlled substance or its metabolite, a Class C misdemeanor.

• Ryan J. Prater, 34,  Warsaw, resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor/probation violation.

NET 43 is a specialized and collaborative law enforcement unit dedicated to the investigation and enforcement of the drug laws in Kosciusko County and surrounding counties. NET43 consists of officers from Kosciusko County Prosecutors Office, WPD, Indiana State Police, Winona Lake Police Department, Nappanee Police Department and KCSO.