County police arrest LaPaz man for destructive devices and meth

Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 12:50 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

On Saturday, officers with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of Vandalia Street in LaPaz about a battery complaint.

During their investigation, officers observed items in plain view within the residence that qualify as “Destructive Devices” under Indiana state statute. A subsequent search warrant was then applied for, granted, and executed. Officers recovered numerous destructive devices and materials used to manufacture these devices. Officers also recovered firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and gun powder. Furthermore, they recovered suspected methamphetamine and evidence of dealing in methamphetamine.

Scott Avila, age 48, was arrested at the scene. He is currently being held in the Marshall County Jail for dealing in methamphetamine as a level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine as a level 3 felony, and possession of destructive devices as a level 5 felony. Avila is being held on a $400,000 cash bond.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the South Bend Police Department Bomb Squad, ATF, and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Drug Task Force.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed. The person charged is presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and is 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.