Staff report
TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State Police troopers arrested a rural Cory man Monday on methamphetamine charges.
Troopers from the Terre Haute post arrived at a Cory address Monday to inquire about a man whom they believed was staying there and was wanted on Vigo County felony warrants. During discussions with the male resident, troopers noticed several items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. A search of the detached garage adjacent to the residence netted a working methamphetamine lab. The man subsequently was arrested and the methamphetamine lab was dismantled and all items seized by police.
Troopers arrested the resident, Nathan Hancock, 36, on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, a class-B felony; possession of methamphetamine, also a class-B felony; possession of precursors, a class-D felony; dumping controlled substance waste, a class-D felony; possession of anhydrous ammonia, also a class-D felony; illegal storage of anhydrous ammonia, a class-A misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, (under 30 grams), also a class-A misdemeanor.
Hancock is currently detained in the Clay County Jail on $25,000 bail, no 10 percent.
The investigation and arrest was conducted by Indiana State Police officers Sgt. Jared Nicoson, Sgt. Tom Hannon, Senior Trooper Ritch Reynolds and Trooper Jason Kempf.
The man troopers originally were looking for was located near Riley minutes later and a methamphetamine lab was found there, as well.
Troopers originally were searching for a Vigo County man who had fled in a stolen truck from ISP Trooper Jason Fischer on July 8. The truck at that time had a working methamphetamine lab inside. The vehicle crashed near Seventh and Margaret streets in Terre Haute and the man fled on foot. He was identified as Tyler Fagin, 31, of Terre Haute. Felony Vigo County warrants subsequently were issued for this incident as well as an earlier one in which he allegedly fled from Vigo County sheriff’s deputies near Prairie Creek Park.
On Monday, State Police received information that Fagin was visiting a residence on Clingerman Street near Riley. Troopers Fischer and Mike Finney went to the residence and found Fagin inside. He attempted to flee and was apprehended by the troopers. During their investigation, troopers found a working meth lab inside the bed of a stolen white Dodge pickup driven by Fagin. The lab was dismantled and all items seized by the State Police Clandestine Lab Team.
Fagin was taken into custody and incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail. He was arrested on a Vigo County warrant for felony resisting law enforcement, possession of a stolen vehicle and other charges. His bail was set at $75,000 with no 10 percent.
Fagin was arraigned Tuesday, when multiple new felony charges were introduced, including, but not limited to, manufacturing methamphetamine, a class-B felony; possession of precursors, a class-D felony; possession of anhydrous ammonia, also a class-D felony; and illegal storage of ammonia, a class-A misdemeanor. Fagin is being detained under an additional $75,000 bail, no 10 percent, after his initial arraignment on drug-related charges.
Troopers Fischer and Finney were assisted by ISP Troopers Nicoson, Reynolds and Kempf.
Citizens are encouraged to report suspected methamphetamine labs or related activity to the Indiana State Police at (812) 299-1152.
