Officers discover meth lab

by Kevin Lilly
Pharos-Tribune news editor

September 25, 2008 12:33 pm

— BUFFALO — Deputies from White and Pulaski counties searching for a wanted woman reportedly discovered an active meth lab near Buffalo this morning.
About 1:14 a.m., officers neared the front door of a single-wide mobile home on 900E just south of Ind. 16 in White County, and they reported detecting anhydrous ammonia, a main ingredient in making meth, as they got within 50 feet of the residence.
“As we approached the house, we could smell anhydrous ammonia,” said Sgt. Bob Zimmerman of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Zimmerman, he and White County deputy Aaron Page heard a small child screaming inside the home. They knocked on the door, and they reported that the anhydrous ammonia smell grew stronger when someone inside answered the door.
The deputies evacuated two adults for their safety. As Page entered the residence to remove a 14-month-old boy, he noticed in plain view several items commonly used in manufacturing meth.
The child was treated by medics on scene before being transported to White County Memorial Hospital for evaluation. The boy was released to the care of the Department of Children and Family Services of White County.
Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and called in the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Team to assist in dismantling the lab.
Police arrested 35-year-old David J. Baker of Logansport on charges of dealing in meth, a class B felony, and neglect of a dependent, a class C felony.
Scott A. Maddock, 40, Monticello, was arrested on charges of dealing in meth, a class B felony, and visiting a common nuisance, a class D felony.
Mickenzie M. Lindstrom, 20, Star City, was arrested on charges stemming from a warrant out of Cass County for a class C felony charge of forgery and a class D felony charge of theft.
Finding the alleged meth lab began when Zimmerman went searching for Lindstrom, who was one of Cass County’s Top 5 Most Wanted. Her arrest warrant listed a Pulaski County address.
“I went to the house, spoke with the family, developed some information as to where she was at, which was the White County address we ended up going to,” Zimmerman said.
Since it was out of his jurisdiction, Zimmerman contacted the White County Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
While officers were waiting for the search warrant, they saw a vehicle matching the description of Lindstrom’s drive by. Zimmerman conducted a traffic stop and took Lindstrom into custody.
All three suspects were booked into the White County Jail. The investigation is continuing.
Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com