Two CLEAN Team Investigations Result in Four More Arrests

Miami/ Fulton Counties –   Two narcotic investigations by members of the CLEAN Team resulted in four people being arrested on various drug related charges.

Members of the CLEAN Team assisted a United States Probation officer with a probation check at the home of Jesse L Newman 26, on 503 West Fifth Street, Peru, IN. While at the residence, officers allegedly observed indicators of illegal drug activity. Officers applied for and were granted a Miami Circuit Court search warrant for the residence. During a subsequent search, officers purportedly found chemical precursors associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, syringes, hydroxyzine, smoking devices, and a handgun. Jesse Newman was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face criminal charges for possession of two or more chemical precursors, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Jason Newman, 26, Peru, IN, was also at the residence during the search. He was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face criminal charges for possession of a legend drug, possession of a syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of handgun by a serious violent felon. Jason Newman was also found to have a failure to appear arrest warrant issued from Howard County.

A separate narcotic investigation led members of the CLEAN Team to a residence at 317 West 11th Street, Rochester, IN.  Officers executed a Fulton Circuit Court search warrant on the property. During the execution of the warrant, officers allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, and syringes. There were also numerous scanners in the home, programmed to local police frequencies, and an exterior camera.  Two of the home’s residents, Traci Norman, 44, and Brittany Harper, 27, were both incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail.  Norman faces charges for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of marijuana. Harper faces charges for possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.

The CLEAN Team is a task force with 11 law enforcement entities that have dedicated resources to fight narcotics in Fulton and Miami Counties. CLEAN stands for Combined Law Enforcement Against Narcotics.  The main focus of the task force is narcotics enforcement with an emphasis on methamphetamine related crimes.

Law enforcement officers encourage anyone with information about the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of narcotics to call their local law enforcement agency or the Indiana State Police DrugTip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Information can be reported anonymously.