Last Updated on March 3, 2017 by cassnetwork
Logansport Police say a tip about suspicious activity led to the arrest of five Pennsylvania residents yesterday at a Logansport motel.
According to a news release, the tip advised that occupants staying at the motel had been receiving expedited and overnighted packages via UPS for the last few days, including two delivered Thursday morning.
Officers from the Logansport Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Department, including Drug Task Force members, went to the Super 8 Motel at 3801 E. Market St. to investigate the tip.
According to the news release, the investigation revealed that a group of individuals staying at the hotel are employed by a company that does sub-contracting work in Cass County.
Officers received consent to search three rooms and had to obtain search warrants for two others. According to the LPD news release, drugs were located in all five rooms searched.
The following people were arrested with the charges listed:
Michael M. Orach, 30, Tamaqua PA – possession of heroin, possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a syringe, and maintaining a common nuisance, all level 6 felony charges
Ricky A. Williams, 26, Effort, PA – dealing heroin (level 2 felony), possession of heroin (level 3 felony), maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony)
Anthony P Heavner, 32, New Kingston, PA – possession of heroin, possession of a syringe and maintaining a common nuisance, all level 6 felony charges
Matthew Covey, 45, Kennsington, PA – possession of heroin, possession of a syringe and maintaining a common nuisance (all level 6 felony), possession of paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor), disorderly conduct (B misdemeanor)
Charles PA Etchison, 38, Vandergrift, PA – possession of marijuana (B Misdemeanor) and possession of paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor) and maintaining a common nuisance (level 6 felony)
According to the news release, officers seized approximately 53 grams of heroin in 535 small packages. In the State of Indiana, possession of anything over 10 grams is classified as a Level 2 felony, according to LPD. Police say they believe the heroin was laced with fentanyl and were assisted at the scene by Prompt Ambulance Service. They say a small amount of meth and marijuana were also seized from the rooms.
The Logansport Police Department is also reminding the public of the dangers involved with drugs like heroin, especially if it is laced with fentanyl.
“Introducing this type of drug into your system can and has caused death,” the press release states. “It is a nationwide problem, a problem that has been on the rise here in Cass County. Logansport police officers are equipped with Naloxone, a substance that is administered as a nasal mist and will reverse the effects of the opioid overdose.”
Symptoms of an opioid overdose include slow and shallow breathing, vomiting, pale, clammy skin, and blue/grayish lips and fingernails. The victim may also have a slow or erratic pulse, or no pulse, make choking or loud snoring noises, and will not respond to shaking or sternum rub.
The Logansport Police Department thanks the public for their tips and assistance in helping the department get these dangerous drugs off the streets of Logansport and Cass County.