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WINONA LAKE – The investigation into the death of a Winona Lake woman led to federal drug and gun charges against her boyfriend.
Darin Devon Hurd, 25, Winona Lake, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.
At about 5 p.m. Sept. 5, Winona Lake police were called to a residence on Bibler Avenue to investigate the death of a 27-year-old female. Brittany Weaver was found dead at the scene. Kosciusko County Coroner Tony Ciriello said Weaver died from a drug overdose.
Police spoke with Hurd, who said he lived with Weaver and their 3-year-old child.
Hurd initially denied any past or recent drug use by him or Weaver, according to court records.
Hurd agreed to allow police to search the residence.
Police located a Llama 9 mm pistol, drug residue, 21 unused syringes and a digital scale. They also found heroin in a plastic bag hidden under a mattress.
Upon further questioning, Hurd said he and Weaver used heroin that morning. He told police he had regularly been selling heroin to people in the Winona Lake area, and was turning a profit of $400 for every 7 grams of heroin.
Hurd told police he left for work that morning and had taken his heroin with him because Weaver had been using some of his stash without his knowledge.
When he came home from work for lunch, he hid the heroin under the mattress. Hurd told police he found Weaver dead when he came home from work about 5 p.m.
Police learned Hurd had a previous felony conviction in Allen County.
Hurd was remanded to the custody of a U.S. marshal and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 28 in South Bend.
