On Thursday morning, a narcotics investigation by Indiana State Trooper Jessie Reason, Trooper Dustin Rutledge, and Fulton County Sheriff’s Detective Travis Heishman resulted in the arrest of Joseph Utter Jr, 33, and Shannyn Fritz, 28, both from Rochester. The pair was incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail. Utter faces criminal charges for dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, serious violent felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a hypodermic needle, possession of drug paraphernalia, neglect of a dependent, and possession of a scheduled 2, 3 or 4 controlled substance. Fritz was arrested on four separate Fulton Circuit Court arrest warrants alleging eight criminal charges.
As part of the narcotics investigation, officers developed enough probable cause to be granted a Fulton Circuit Court search warrant for Utter’s residence at 781 Cottonwood Lane, Rochester. During the search, officers allegedly found nearly a pound of suspected methamphetamine, prescription medication, five firearms, a hypodermic needle, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $1,800 in United States currency. Officers also located Fritz, who was allegedly staying at the home.
Fritz was wanted on four Fulton Circuit Court arrest warrants, with a total of eight alleged charges. She faces four separate charges for possession of methamphetamine, two counts for possession of a narcotic drug, a single count for possession of marijuana, and a charge for community corrections pretrial release violation.
Utter’s three-year-old daughter was also at the residence. She was released into the care of the Fulton County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services.
The suspected methamphetamine has an approximate street value of $18,000.
This is an ongoing investigation.