COLUMBUS, Ind. -Four Columbus residents have been arrested as part of a drug dealing investigation and a report of a drug overdose at 311 Cleveland Street. The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) and the Intelligence-Led Policing Unit (ILP) had received tips about drug dealing occurring at the house.
The Columbus Police Department was called to the home for a drug overdose on May 16. One man had overdosed and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
During the investigation, JNET obtained a warrant to search the home. Inside, investigators allegedly located over 50 grams of methamphetamine along with packaging material, digital scales, syringes, and other drug-related items.
Jessica Comstock, 37, Dustin Harden, 19, and Chase Barnhart, 20, were arrested at the residence. A fourth suspect, Keith Cherry, 35, was not at the house. An arrest warrant was issued and on May 30, ILP and JNET investigators found him at a South Pine Street residence and he was taken into custody.
Here are the four people arrested and their charges:
- Jessica Comstock – dealing in meth (level 2 felony), possession of meth (level 3 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony), neglect of a dependent (level 6 felony), possession of a syringe (level 6 felony), and possession of paraphernalia (C misdemeanor)
- Dustin Harden – maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony) and possession of a narcotic drug (level 6 felony)
- Chase Barnhart – visiting a common nuisance (B misdemeanor)
- Keith Cherry – dealing in meth (level 2 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony)
Comstock-Courtesy-CPD
Harden-Courtesy-CPD
Barnhart-Courtesy-CPD
Cherry-Courtesy-CPD
JNET is a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department, and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office that proactively targets the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
