Diego Estuardo Morales

KOSCIUSKO — A Winona Lake man was arrested after officers discovered methamphetamine and narcotic drugs in a residence.

Diego Estuardo Morales, 25, 1202 Wooster Road 68, Winona Lake, is being charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 3 felony; possession of a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; domestic battery causing moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor.

On April 18, officers responded to a report of domestic battery. When officers arrived at the residence, they heard yelling and banging coming from inside.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the homeowner answered the door and invited the officers inside. Morales’ girlfriend told officers that Morales was in a bedroom.

Officers located Morales, who attempted to escape out a back window with a gray safe, jumping back inside the residence when he saw officers.

Officers discovered a glass smoking device with a white residue that tested positive for methamphetamine, hollow tubes, razor blades, a plate and mirror with residue on them, small plastic baggies, scales with residue, a glass smoking device and a marijuana pipe.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence. Inside the safe, officers found a plastic bag that contained 9.2 grams of morphine sulfate pills, a schedule II narcotic drug. They also found a plastic bag that field tested positive for methamphetamine, and a plastic bag that field tested positive for heroin.

Morales’ girlfriend stated that she and her boyfriend got into an argument. Morales grabbed her by the hair and yanked her, causing her to fall to the floor and strike her head on the kitchen cabinets. Her side struck an object on the floor. Officers observed a visible bruise on the female’s left temple.

Morales was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 5, with a $20,500 surety and cash bond.