3 arrested on drug charges in Marshall County Sunday

County and city officers arrested three people on drug-related charges Sunday, June 14th, following two separate incidents that turned up marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

Early Sunday at 12:15 a.m., Patrolman Thornton with the Plymouth Police Department located a vehicle parked at Freedom Park with a male occupant behind the wheel. As Thornton approached the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. A search of the vehicle turned up marijuana and paraphernalia.

The driver, Shea L. Durr, 41, of Merrillville, was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Later Sunday evening, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Marshall County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a report of a theft in progress after the suspect vehicle fled the scene. Deputy Bennett located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the area of U.S. 31 and Veterans Parkway.

The driver was identified as Dustin Singleton, 37, of Granger, and the passenger as Heather Egger, 44, also of Granger. K-9 Officer Diesel performed an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search turned up suspected drugs inside the vehicle and on Egger's person.

Deputy Bennett determined during this investigation that no theft had actually occurred and that the original call was a civil matter.

Both Singleton and Egger were transported to the Marshall County Jail. Egger was booked on four charges: unlawful possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana with a prior drug conviction. She was issued a $1,500 bond. Singleton was booked for unlawful possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, and possession of marijuana, and was also issued a $1,500 bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.