Clay County Sheriff Brison Swearingen

BRAZIL — During the months of March and April, Detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Clay County, Parke County and Vigo County.

The suspects were Michael Crawford, 43, of Parke County, and Dustin Halfacre, 37, of Parke County.

Crawford was suspected of bringing large amounts of methamphetamine into Clay, Parke, and Vigo Counties.

During the investigation, Detectives with the Clay County Sheriffs Office obtained an arrest warrant from Parke County for:
• Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony; and
• Count 2: Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony.

On April 6, Clay County Sheriff’s Office Detectives requested the assistance from the Putnam County Sheriffs Office  who conducted a traffic stop on Crawford in Putnam County. During that traffic stop Crawford was found to have approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine in his possession.

Crawford was arrested on fresh charges out of Putnam County for Level 3 – Possession of Methamphetamine as well as his warrant out of Parke County. Also arrested during that traffic stop was Valerie Ricketts, 36, of Parke County, for an outstanding arrest warrant out of Vigo County. Ricketts was found to have methamphetamine and paraphernalia and she was facing additional charges in Putnam County.

As a result of the months-long investigation, on April 12 Detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Parke County Sheriff’s Office traveled to the home of Dustin Halfacre, to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. Halfacre was arrested for his warrant that was issued from Parke County for: Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Count 2: Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony.

Halfacre also is facing additional charging information that stemmed from his arrest.
Agencies assisting the Clay County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation were: Parke County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Vigo County Drug Task Force, and DEA.