Attempt to purchase gun ends in arrests for four Bartholomew County men
An investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives into the falsification of a handgun purchase application led to four Bartholomew County residents being arrested on numerous charges.
Detectives began the investigation in July when the Indiana State Police was notified that 59-year-old Frank L. Hiatt, of Columbus, had allegedly falsified a handgun purchase application while attempting to buy a handgun from a business in Greensburg. The investigation determined that Hiatt attempted to buy a handgun from the store on June 28th. While completing the required paperwork to purchase the handgun, authorities say that Hiatt indicated he was not currently under any indictment for felony charges and was not an unlawful user of marijuana or any other controlled substance. Hiatts handgun purchase application was denied at the time and he was not able to purchase the gun.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Hiatt had pending charges in Bartholomew County from March 11 of this year after he was arrested by the Indiana State Police-All Crimes Policing Team on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.
As a result of the investigation, a warrant was issued for Hiatt. On September 10th, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post along with deputies from the Bartholomew County Sheriffs Department went to Hiatts home in the 16000 block of East County Road 265 North. While at the residence, troopers reported finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Hiatt, along with three other men at the home, were arrested on drug-related charges.
– Hiatt was arrested on the original warrant. He was additionally arrested on charges of Obstruction of Justice, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.
– Charles Hiatt, age 62, of Columbus, is facing charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Visiting a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.
– Rodney Hiatt, age 52, Columbus, was arrested on a charge of Maintaining a Common Nuisance.
– Johnny Watson, age 53, Hope, was arrested on a charge of Visiting a Common Nuisance.