Staff Report

WARSAW  — Two people were arrested on multiple drug charges after law enforcement executed a search warrant in Kosciusko County.

Ashley Renee Shepherd, 36, 4027 E. 450N, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony; dealing methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony; dealing in a Schedule IV controlled substance with a prior dealing conviction and possession of methamphetamine with a prior dealing conviction, both Level 5 felonies; possession of methamphetamine, dealing in a Schedule IV controlled substance, and maintaining a common nuisance, all Level 6 felonies; possession of marijuana, a class B midemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana with a prior drug conviction, a class A misdemeanor.

Tyler Matthew McDowell, 33, 5858 W. King Fisher Drive, Warsaw, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance, both Level 6 felonies; and possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana with a prior drug conviction and possession of paraphernalia with a prior drug conviction, both class A misdemeanors.

According to a probable cause affidavit, an Indiana State Police trooper obtained a search warrant for Shepherd and McDowell’s residence on Aug. 19.

While searching the home, officers found two bags containing about three grams of meth, three glass containers containing a loose crystal material, 14 baggies containing a crystal residue, a blue plastic straw that contained more of the residue, a blue plastic container that contained 11 blue pills identified as Xanax, and several pieces of drug paraphernalia that contained burnt residue.

Additionally, in the shed on the property there were two more bags with crystal residue that tested positive for meth, a THC vape pen that tested positive for marijuana, a plastic bag containing synthetic marijuana, and a plant grinder containing loose plant material.

Shepherd admitted to the trooper that she recently started using meth about two to three times a week and had used for four or five years. She also admitted to dealing meth and Xanax.

Shepherd was previously convicted of dealing a controlled substance on Aug 17, 2015, in Kosciusko County.

McDowell was previously convicted of possession of paraphernalia on Sept 14, 2012, in Kosciusko County and on Dec 31, 2019, in St Joseph County.

Both Shepherd and McDowell have already been arrested and released on their own recognizances.