Local News 

Four arrested after tip from East State Street business

John Clark
Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
Ryan L. Chandler. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

A tip from an East State Street business led to the arrest of four people on drug-related charges Friday afternoon in Columbus.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that three people entered the business and acted suspiciously including taking photos of the business at about a quarter til 3 Friday afternoon. They then drove off down State Street.

A deputy pulled over the vehicle a short time later at U.S. 31 and State Road 46. A police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle and a search revealed a detergent bottle containing pills and a crystalline substance according to police reports. Baggies, scales and other drug paraphernalia were also found.

The driver, 40-year-old Ryan L. Chandler of Edinburgh was arrested
along with passengers, 33-year-old Leslie Houchin of Columbus, 36 year old Amy McPherson of Indianapolis and 47-year-old William Carey of Greenwood.

Preliminary charges include:

  • Chandler – Maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia
  • Houchin – Visiting a common nuisance
  • McPherson – Visiting a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia
  • Carey – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine and visiting a common nuisance.
Amy McPherson. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
Leslie Houchin. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
William Carey. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.