By SYDNEY KENT
Two of four people arrested in connection to dealing drugs and producing counterfeit money out of a home in Ossian pled guilty to the charges.
Zachary Andrew Osborn, 32, Ossian, was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony, possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
The charges were filed in May after a 911 call led police to look for a wanted subject, Jerron Jackson, at Osborn’s residence in Ossian.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Osborn allegedly permitted police to enter his residence to look for Jackson. After entering the residence, police noted that Osborn attempted to conceal a glass pipe with residue inside. Several additional subjects were also in the home.
A search warrant revealed seven glass vials, each containing a white crystal substance, a digital scale, and additional paraphernalia — all located in Osborn’s bedroom.
A scanner and printer combo with ten and five-dollar bills, copied onto computer paper, were found in the living room and kitchen. Counterfeit money was reportedly also located in a bedroom in the middle of the residence.
The bedroom reportedly belonged to Jodi Ann Sluder, 47, who was charged with counterfeiting and application fraud and possession of methamphetamine, both Level 6 felonies and possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. During booking at the jail, a counterfeit $5 bill was allegedly found in her pocket.
Sluder’s case was tried in the Wells Superior Court late last month. She was sentenced to 794 days in prison with 730 days suspended and 64 days of jail credit after she pled guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. Both charges for counterfeiting money and application fraud were dismissed.
Jerron Mikel Jackson, 30, Bluffton, was located in the bathroom and arrested on a warrant for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony. Jackson is scheduled for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the Wells County Superior Court.
Two additional subjects were also arrested following the search of the residence.
Jeremy Scot Jackson, 43, Fort Wayne, was charged with counterfeiting and application fraud and possession of methamphetamine, both Level 6 felonies and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Jackson is scheduled for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the Wells County Superior Court.
Osborn’s bond was set at $32,000. He is currently incarcerated at the Wells County Jail. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 28 in the Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com