On October 4, agents of the Kokomo/Howard County Violent Crimes Task Force (consisting of agents of the Kokomo Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)) executed six search warrants within the City of Kokomo and Howard County. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) also assisted with this investigation. These search warrants were the result of a months’ long investigation involving the illegal distribution of the drug Fentanyl while armed with firearms.
As a result of the investigation, search warrants were obtained for the following addresses:
- 303 Southlea Drive Kokomo, Indiana
- 1111 S. Washington Street Apartment A Kokomo, Indiana
- 1608 N. Indiana Street Kokomo, Indiana
- 1721 N. Bell Street Kokomo, Indiana
- 767 Hunters Trail Kokomo, Indiana
- 4810 N. Parkway Kokomo, Indiana
Several arrests were made during the execution of the search warrants. Arrests included:
- Jack Peugh, 33 years-old of Kokomo – Possession of a Controlled Substance a class A misdemeanor and Unlawful Possession of a Syringe a Level 6 Felony;
- Lawrence Shepard, 44 years-old of Kokomo – 4 Counts Possession of a Controlled Substance a class A misdemeanor and 1 Count Maintaining a Common Nuisance a Level 6 Felony;
- Jarod Deck, 31 years-old of Kokomo – 4 arrest warrants; one warrant for a charge of Possession of Marijuana a class B misdemeanor, two warrants for Unlawful Possession of a Syringe both Level 6 Felonies and one warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine a Level 6 Felony.
As the result of the investigation and execution of the search warrants, a total of 19 firearms (6 rifles and 13 handguns) were seized along with controlled substances and a distribution amount of the drug Fentanyl.
This investigation is on-going and further arrests for state and federal charges are anticipated soon.
This case remains active for investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force Officer, Sergeant Richard Benzinger at 765-456-7324, or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at (765) 456-7017. You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip.