Three Held After Drug Raid; Other Warrants Outstanding

Three people were taken into custody and warrants are outstanding on three others after an early-morning drug raid in Kosciusko County.

The arrests resulted from a combined effort among the Kosciusko County Special Operations Team, Whitley County Drug Task Force and Nappanee Police Department.

Taken into custody were:

• John E. Hochstetler, 37, of 1307 Harkless Drive #2, Syracuse, charged with dealing a controlled substance, a Class B felony. Bond: $10,000.

• Blake D. Pilcher, 23, of 7597 E. Shoop Road, Pierceton, charged with dealing in cocaine/more than 3 grams, a Class A felony. Bond: $20,000.

• Brandon Freeze, 20, M-Dee Acres #34, Nappanee, charged with dealing in cocaine/less than 3 grams, a Class B felony. Bond: None noted.

Assisting in serving or attempting to serve warrants were officers from Warsaw and Pierceton police departments and the Kosciusko/Warsaw SWAT Team.

Warrants remain outstanding for the following people:

• Jeffrey R. Young, 33, of 8469 N. CR 620E, Syracuse, charged with dealing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of school property (Wawasee High School), a Class A felony. Bond: $10,000.

• Jason R. Coleman, 21, of 507 E. Mill St., Pierceton, charged with possession of marijuana/less than 30 grams, a Class C misdemeanor. Bond: $1,500.

• Jerry R. Warner, 25, of 112 Argonne Road, Warsaw, charged with dealing in marijuana/less than 30 grams, a Class A misdemeanor. Bond: $2,500.

According to a press release issued by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, these investigations would not have been possible without the assistance of the community.

Anyone with information regarding possible drug activity in Kosciusko County is asked to contact the county's drug task force at 267-5667 or 372-2494.