State Police released details of the incident today that happened at just before 2 on Tuesday afternoon.
Troopers and Loogootee police responded to 502 South Kentucky Avenue in Loogootee Tuesday to investigate a reported domestic dispute. After speaking with the homeowners, James and Deborah Stewert with their children in the yard, the police left with no charges filed.
A short time later, State Trooper Jarrod Lents reports he received a message from Deborah Stewart saying she did want to press battery charges against James Stewart. Paperwork was filed and Trooper Lents and Loogootee Police Officer Keith Keller went back to the home to find James Stewart. They knocked on the door and no one answered. They went to a neighbor’s home where a family member had been on the officers’ previous visit. They say James Stewart quickly came out and tried to close the door at that residence at 422 South Kentucky. The trooper smelled burnt marijuana from inside the home and that’s when he entered and ordered six adults, a teen and two small children out. Marijuana was seen in plain sight on a table along with paraphernalia. More drug related material was found after a search warrant was obtained and served. The Martin County Sheriff’s Department assisted in making the arrests.
48 year old James Stewart, 19-year-old Brittany Staats, 21-year-old Christian Williams, 41 year old Joanna M. Hurst, 23-year-old Jordan T. Brown and two 17 year olds all face various possession and nuisance charges. Some were also charged with neglect. Hurst was also charged with resisting. Stewart was also charged with domestic battery from the original complaint.
(mugshots of four of those charged provided by Indiana State Police)
