More Carroll County meth-makers arrested
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Guns seized in raid at Isom residence. Photo provided

For more than a year, local police have been watching a homestead in the northern part of the county. It was suspected the occupants were making and selling methamphetamine. According to one investigator, the investigation was initiated in part due to complaints and concerns of neighbors.

While keeping the house and occupants under surveillance, law enforcement officials were monitoring over-the-counter cold medicine logs from local merchants.

When the decision was made to obtain a search warrant and bring the investigation to light on March 27, a significant meth bust was recorded in Carroll County.

The police action included representatives from Carroll County Sheriff's Office, the Indiana State Police, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, a conservation officer and a representative from the White County Sheriff's Department.

Benjamin Isom, 49 and his wife Brenda, 36, both of Adams Township, and Brandon Williamson, 26, Towpath Rd., appeared in Carroll Superior Court March 29 to answer charges resulting from the investigation.

Isom

All three defendants requested court appointed counsel. Judge Jeffrey Smith indicated he would make a decision about Williamson's request at a later date. However, after listening to testimony about assets belonging to the Isoms, Smith declared the couple was not indigent and denied their requests.

According to Carroll County Prosecutor Tricia Thompson, the case was heard in Superior Court as a Circuit Court case due to the absence of Carroll Circuit Court Judge Donald Currie. Williamson was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Class D felony, possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor, and visiting a house of common nuisance, a Class B misdemeanor.

Benjamin Isom was charged with eight counts ranging from Class A and B misdemeanors to Class A, B, C and D felonies for manufacturing meth, possession of reagents while possessing firearms, possession of meth, marijuana, paraphernalia, anhydrous with intent to manufacture, maintaining a house of common nuisance and possession of a stolen handgun.

Isom testified at the initial hearing that the home was worth approximately $100,000 and he has approximately $5,000 in a checking account. He said he was employed at the Jack Isom Construction Company. He said he did not own but was storing for friends some of the 80 loaded guns police discovered while executing the search warrant.

Isom

Brenda Isom received similar charges and added vehicles and household furniture to the list of equity possessed

by the couple. She testified she was unemployed and there were no children living at the residence. She estimated the guns seized during the raid to be worth approximately $20,000.

According to the probable cause affidavit signed by Carroll County Sheriff Detective Kevin Hammond, officers were authorized to search for evidence of methamphetamine, precursors used in the manufacturing of meth, and any and all items used in the manufacturing, sale or distribution of meth.

When officers arrived at the residence, Brenda Isom was the only person home.

Hammond said in an April 3 Comet interview cameras monitored the driveway, front porch and garage areas. He said Brenda Isom did not fully cooperate with the seven law enforcement officers present to serve the warrant.

Williamson

Benjamin Isom and Williamson arrived at the prop- erty shortly after the initial action by law enforcement. Police found a glass vial containing a substance that tested positive for meth in the truck Isom was driving. Police seized a box of non-drowsy nasal decongestant with 96 pills from his person.

Investigators found chemicals and precursors on the property and items used to manufacture meth. A bag containing more than 30 grams of marijuana was found in the master bedroom of the house, along with paraphernalia and a 22-pound compressed gas cylinder containing anhydrous ammonia located throughout the house.

The search revealed approximately 80 long guns and handguns spread throughout the living room, billiards room and bedrooms of the house. One gun discovered was believed to be stolen from White County.

Benjamin Isom admitted to police that meth was last cooked in the house on March 26. He said his wife did not assist with meth making, but she was aware of the activity and she used the finished product.

Bond for the Isoms was set at $100,000 each. Deputy prosecutor Christine Smith argued for a high bond due to the couple posing a flight risk. She said a federal agency was involved with the investigation and additional charges could be filed in the near future.

An omnibus hearing for the couple was scheduled for May 24 and the first trial date was set for June 11. The omnibus hearing is the deadline for the defendant to decide whether or not to enter a guilty plea.

A $5,000 surety bond was set for Williamson. May 9 is the date for his omnibus hearing and May 22 is the first trial date.

"I feel good about this," Hammond said, "because I've had a lot of compliments for what we did. I've been thanked by White County residents, too."

Hammond, a 1982 Delphi Community High School graduate and 11-year veteran with the sheriff's office, said he appreciated the help the investigative team received from the Isom's neighbors.

"I encourage people who think they might know of any suspicious activity to contact the sheriff's office and let us know about it," he concluded.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office can be reached by calling (765) 564-2413.