Drugs, guns and bombs found near Cutler
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Snider

Carroll County Sheriff's Department assisted the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Saturday night at a rural residence near Cutler. What was found at the address turned out to be a hidden drug lab, possible bombmaking operation and a stash of guns.

According to a press release issued from the DNR, conservation officers from seven counties, a federal alcohol, tobacco and firearms (ATF) agent and the Tippecanoe County Bomb Squad, along with local law enforcement, worked hours to gather evidence after two search warrants were issued for the premises.

Homeowner Jesse W. Snider, 27, and Justin M. Erdie, 28, of Lafayette were taken into custody at the scene. Also found were large amounts of cash and Chinese throwing stars.

Sheriff Tony Burns said that five local law enforcement officers were at the scene for several hours Sunday and Det. Kevin Hammond was on site all day.

Det. Steve Mullin of the sheriff's department provided testimony of probable cause to support issuance of an arrest warrant for Snider in Carroll Circuit Court. According to the document, Mullin stated he had cause to believe "that Jessie W. Snider committed the crime of possession of a destructive device, a Class C felony, possession of a machine gun, a Class C felony, dealing in marijuana, a Class D felony, possession of marijuana, a Class D felony, maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D felony, in Carroll County on or about Oct. 28."

County residence site of drug and arms bust This isolated residence located at 1246W CR400S was the scene of a multi-law enforcement investigation Saturday night. Responding to a call of shots fired, DNR officers discovered more than they bargained for and called Carroll County law enforcement for back-up, triggering two search warrants and help from the FBI and ATF agents among others. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

The court document stated bomb-making materials were located in the pole barn on the property, an AR flare launcher and numerous items of military munitions such as flares, parachute flares, detonation cord or time fuse. Officers also located chemical protective suits, decontamination suits and chemical detection paper.

A chewing tobacco can containing C-4 was found in the house. A drop-in auto sear for AR- 15 type weapons, as well as an AR-15 and an upper receiver for another AR-15 type weapon, were all found in the residence.

Approximately 16 marijuana plants with a weight in excess of thirty grams were found growing in one of the bedrooms in the house. The plants were attached to a hydroponics system, which automatically delivered water and nutrients to the plants. A sodium vapor light was attached to a timer in the same location with the plants and two shoeboxes were found containing green leafy plant-like material, which was identified by Hammond as marijuana in excess of 30 grams.

Snider was incarcerated in Carroll County Jail and his bond was set at $253,000. He posted bond and has been released, according to the sheriff's department.

No further information about the case was available at press time. DNR scheduled a press conference today, Wednesday, at 10 a.m. at 30 Professional Court, Suite 1, in Lafayette. Efforts to contact the Carroll County Prosecutor concerning this matter were unsuccessful.