CLAYPOOL – Six people are facing charges and two minors are in protective custody after a drug bust in Claypool.
The bust started Friday night with a traffic stop at the intersection of Hickory and Section streets, Claypool, on Zarre Evan Fitzpatrick, 20, ?Warsaw.
Police found drugs on Fitzpatrick, according to Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders.
Fitzpatrick was charged with possession of meth, driving without a license and possession of paraphernalia. His bond was set at $10,250.
After interviewing Fitzpatrick, police were led to 202 W. Section St., Claypool.
Sanders said he contacted the Warsaw and Winona Lake police departments to help with the investigation.
An undercover officer staked out the Section Street residence, Sanders said.
The undercover cop waited for someone to leave the house and made a traffic stop early Saturday morning on a the car that left the residence.
The driver of the car, Scott Alan Powers, 40, Claypool, told police he had about 28 grams of meth. He gave police permission to search his house.
Police returned to the house and found several pipes and other drug paraphernalia. Police also found a handgun, owned by Powers, who has a previous felony conviction.
Powers was charged with possession of meth, possession of a handgun by a felon, driving while classified as a habitual traffic offender, dealing meth and neglect of a dependent. His bond was set at $25,250.
Once at the house, police found a 17-year-old girl, a toddler and an infant. The infant and the toddler were taken into protective custody by Indiana Child Protective Services, Sanders said.
The teenager was able to stay with a family friend. Sanders said the teen will be charged with possession of paraphernalia, neglect of a dependent and maintaining a common nuisance.
Sanders did not release the name of the teenager.
Also arrested at the Section Street house were:
• Evelyn Ann Powers, 39, Claypool, arrested for maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia. Her bond was set $5,250.
• Shawnee Jean Smalley, 18, Claypool, arrested for maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.
• Taylor Darnell Bradley, 18, Pierceton, arrested for visiting a common nuisance.
