– Photo courtesy of Howard County Sheriff’s Office
As Boone, Carroll and Clinton counties crack down on the prevalence of illicit substances and violent crime, other counties in the surrounding region have also been focusing heavily on controlling the issue, such as the Howard County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, March 19 just before noon, Howard County Violent Crimes Sheriff’s Office Task Force Unit and Day Shift Patrol Deputies executed a search warrant for a residence in area of 800 E. Hoffer St. in Kokomo where a search of the premises swiftly followed, uncovering a large amount of illegal substances and weapons, authorities say.
According to the department, detectives uncovered 98 counterfeit M/30 fentanyl pills, one pill press, items utilized to manufacture illegal counterfeit controlled substances, over 100 grams of field-tested positive of fentanyl, a large quantity of United States currency and one illegally possessed Glock firearm.
Authorities stated that the evidence found at the residence was cause to form a theory that the residence was utilized for the manufacturing of counterfeit M30 pills that are made of fentanyl. As well, detectives reportedly located several grams of field-tested positive of fentanyl hidden in an infant’s formula container. The evidence led deputies to take Celie Jackson, 28, and Todd Warren, 33, into custody without incident, where they are being held without bond in the Howard County Jail, authorities say.
Jackson has been charged with neglect of dependent/child violations, level 5 felony, neglect of dependent/child violations, level 6 felony, possession of marijuana as a prior conviction, class A misdemeanor, possession of cocaine or narcotic drug, level 3 felony, dealing schedule I, II or III substance, level 2 felony, possession of marijuana, hash oil or hashish, class B misdemeanor, dealing counterfeit substances, level 6 felony and possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony.
Warren has been charged with neglect of dependent/child violations, level 5 felony, neglect of dependent/child violations, level 6 felony, possession of marijuana as a prior conviction, class A misdemeanor, possession of cocaine or narcotic drug, level 3 felony, dealing schedule I, II or III substance, level 2 felony, possession of marijuana, hash oil or hashish, class B misdemeanor, serious violent felon in possession of firearm, level 4 felony, dealing counterfeit substances, level 6 felony and possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony.
The case remains under investigation, and the community is encouraged to contact the Sheriff Task Force Unit at 765-614-3491 with more information or submit a tip using the app or visiting sheriff.howardcountyin.gov.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.