Vanderburgh County – Yesterday afternoon, February 17, Indiana State Police responded to an Evansville residence located at 1912 Washington Avenue to investigate a drug complaint.  The residence was located 590 feet from Washington Middle School.  Troopers also received information that an occupant of the residence, James D. Smith, 42, had an active arrest warrant out of Vanderburgh County.   After a male answered the front door, Senior Trooper Bill Gadberry detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the residence.  The male was later identified as Smith.  During a search of the residence troopers found small amounts of meth and cocaine, two plastic bags containing 30 grams of marijuana, five syringes used to inject meth, digital scales and drug paraphernalia. Troopers also discovered Smith’s girlfriend and her one-year-old daughter and three-year-old son reside at the residence.  She was away working and the two children were in daycare when the search occurred. Smith was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

ARRESTED AND CHARGES:
James D. Smith, 42, 1912 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN
1. Possession of Meth within 1,000 feet of a School, Class B Felony
2. Possession of Cocaine within a 1,000 feet of a School, Class B Felony
3. 2 Counts of Neglect of a Dependant, Class D Felony
4. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony
5. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Senior Trooper Bill Gadberry and Trooper Doug Francis, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: ATF Agent Chad Foreman, Senior Trooper Kevin Brown and Trooper Wes Alexander

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.