The Indiana State Police arrested four people this past Friday at a residence on Walnut Street in Columbia City after locating a meth lab inside of the residence as they assisted the Whitley County Probation Department with a routine check of one of its probationers.

According to Detective Andrew Mills, at approximately 2:40 p.m. he and officers from the Columbia City Police Department were helping to locate the probationer inside of 319 N. Walnut St. when they located items commonly associated with the production of meth.

A subsequent search of the residence under the authority of a search warrant led to the discovery of many more items used in the production of meth. Mills arrested the following people and incarcerated them in the Whitley County Jail:

• Jeremy Todd Guthrie, 43, Columbia City, arrested for possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of two or more precursors, maintaining a common nuisance and dealing methamphetamine by manufacturing.
• Deborah L. Tait, 46, Deedsville, arrested for possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of two or more precursors, maintaining a common nuisance and dealing methamphetamine by manufacturing.
• Lynn D. Pressler, 34, Columbia City, arrested for possession of paraphernalia, possession of schedule II or III controlled substance and maintaining a common nuisance.
• Alicia June Smith, 28, Huntington arrested for possession of paraphernalia and visiting a common nuisance.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.