Dog complaint leads to meth dealing arrest of a wanted fugitive
WILLIAMS – On Friday, December 12th, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an aggressive pit bull loose in the 200 block of Dogwood Acres. Sheriff Greg Day responded along with Special Deputy Ronnie Blackburn, who was fulfilling animal control duties that day. Upon arrival, the caller told officers the pit bull belonged to a camper directly across the road from them. The dog had allegedly come onto the caller’s property, bared its teeth, and growled aggressively. Due to previous incidents, including an attempted attack, the caller reported the incident to law enforcement.
Sheriff Day and Deputy Blackburn went to the camper and knocked on the door. A female and a dog matching the description given by the original caller exited the camper. When the female identified herself, Sheriff Day recognized that he had information that she was the girlfriend of Claude David Swartz (49 years old of Bedford). Sheriff Day also knew that Swartz was wanted on a felony parole warrant. Upon questioning, officers were told Swartz was inside the camper. The female allowed officers inside, where they located Swartz and took him into custody on the warrant.
While placing Swartz into handcuffs, Sheriff Day observed a small amount of methamphetamine and a meth pipe on top of a table. The camper was secured.
Indiana State Police Trooper Chance Humphrey, ISP DES Detective Caleb Garvin, and Lawrence County Deputy Michael Martin arrived on scene to assist. With the assistance of Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel Arp, a request for a search warrant for the camper was made. The warrant was signed by the Honorable Judge Robert Cline.
Upon execution of the search warrant, officers located approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, opiate pills, a loaded hypodermic syringe, corner baggies, scales, and other items associated with the use and dealing of methamphetamine.
Swartz was incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail for the parole warrant as well as new offenses for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deal (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams (Level 3 Felony), and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe (Level 6 Felony).
The dog involved in the original call was secured at another residence so it could be cared for adequately and not cause any further issues with the neighbors. The female was released from the scene.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at 812-275-3316, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s tip line at 812-545-4700, submit a tip on the Lawrence County Sheriff’s App, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All such calls are confidential.