Another one bites the dust in Flora
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Redmon hands a bag of what is suspected to be processed meth to ISP Trooper Tim Kendall inside the trailer during the search. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

Flora Police Chief Paul Redmon is dedicated to eradicating crime, including the making and selling of methamphetamine in Flora. Redmon got to practice that dedication Thursday afternoon when the White County police called to say they wanted to serve a warrant on 47-year-old John Rieken at 517 Kenrick St., Flora. Rieken was suspected of making meth.

Redmon told White County officers that he knew of the suspect and knew he was on probation for a drug conviction.

Redmon, the White County police and Rieken's probation officer worked a coordinated plan to arrest the suspect and search the residence. When they knocked on the front door, Rieken fled through the back door, but was apprehended without incident in the front yard of his mobile home.

Redmon explained that while monitoring sales logs for pseudoephedrine in Monticello, law enforcement officials noticed that Rieken purchased more than the normal amount. Working in conjunction with the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section, the decision was made to seek an arrest warrant.

"This may not have happened without the coordinated efforts of ISP, White County and the Carroll County Probation Department," Redmon said at the scene. "What happened today is the result of good communication and coordinated efforts between multiple agencies. It should be interpreted by drug dealers and illegal drug manufacturers that if you commit these types of crimes and others in Flora or anywhere else in Carroll County, you will be arrested."

Rieken was preliminarily charged with dealing methamphetamine, possession of meth, possession of chemical reagents or possession of precursors with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance and illegal possession of anhydrous ammonia.