Staff Report

Harold L. Lewis

Brittany Nicole Cross

WARSAW — A Claypool couple was recently arrested on drug charges.

Harold L. Lewis, 33, 7413 S. Caldwell Lake Drive, Claypool, is charged in two separate criminal cases for two counts of possession of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a syringe, operating while intoxicated – enhancement, possession of a narcotic drug, and maintaining a common nuisance, all level 6 felonies; possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and operating while intoxicated and two counts of possession of paraphernalia, all class C misdemeanors.

Brittany Nicole Cross, 34, 7413 S. Caldwell Lake Drive, Claypool, is charged with maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony.

On Oct. 3, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of a driver traveling south, all over the roadway, on SR 15. While responding to the area, the officer learned the vehicle’s registration belonged to Lewis.

According to court documents, the officer found the suspect vehicle and saw it exceed the posted speed limit and change lanes without using a turn signal. Lewis was identified as the vehicle’s driver and was exhibiting signs of intoxication. He told the officer he was on probation for possessing meth.

Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found meth, hypodermic needles, and a tourniquet.

An oral sample from Lewis showed a positive result for cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamine. Certified chemical test results are pending.

On Oct. 6, an Indiana State Police trooper was contacted by a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office deputy to assist with finding Lewis, who had an outstanding warrant in Marshall County for possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice. The warrant address was for a location in Claypool.

On Oct. 8, several ISP troopers went to Lewis’ residence to serve the warrant and noticed Lewis and Cross inside the home. Cross, who is identified in court paperwork as Lewis’ girlfriend, answered the door and said Lewis was not there.

While arresting Lewis, the troopers noticed several needle caps were strewn about and also found drug paraphernalia and a THC vape pen. Upon a further search, the troopers found four small cotton balls which tested positive for fentanyl and meth, two THC vape pen cartridges which tested positive for marijuana, and over 40 hypodermic needles.

Lewis told officers he used drugs and that all of the items belonged to him, as Cross did not use drugs.

Lewis has prior convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, possessing meth, possessing marijuana, and burglary.

Cross has prior convictions for possessing meth and paraphernalia.

Both Lewis and Cross have already been arrested.