Three people were taken into custody today after officers served a search warrant at a home in the 300 block of Fairmount Drive in Madison, the Madison Police Department said. The search followed an investigation focused on that residence, with Indiana State Police tactical personnel assisting local officers during the entry.
According to the department, Detective J.D. Sweet obtained the warrant and the Indiana State Police SWAT team handled the initial entry. Once inside, officers reported finding multiple firearms, narcotics and narcotics-related paraphernalia. One of the guns had been reported stolen out of Jennings County. The department said MPD Captain Wayne Phillips, Sgt. Jordan Perry, Sr. Patrolman Kayla Moore, Patrolman Jeremiah Douglas, Patrolman Colton Fox and Det./Major Ricky Harris assisted in the operation, and that the warrant was signed in Jefferson Circuit Court, according to the City of Madison Police Department.
How the warrant was authorized and carried out
County records list D.J. Mote as the judge of Jefferson Circuit Court, according to Jefferson County records. The Indiana State Police operate a Special Operations command that includes tactical teams which assist local departments with high-risk warrant service and similar missions, according to Indiana State Police directives.
Arrests and charges
Police identified the three people arrested as 52-year-old Jerry C. Diaz of Madison, 49-year-old Marcelino Rodriguez of Fort Wayne and 18-year-old Zaid I. Diaz of Madison.
According to the department, Jerry C. Diaz was booked on Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony possession of a hypodermic syringe or needle, a Level 4 felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Police said Marcelino Rodriguez faces similar drug and paraphernalia counts, along with a resisting law enforcement charge and a Level 4 felony firearm charge.
According to the department, Zaid I. Diaz was charged with theft of a firearm, a Level 5 felony, as well as a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.
The department noted that all three individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, according to the City of Madison Police Department.
What the charges mean
Under Indiana law, unlawful possession of a firearm by a “serious violent felon” is a Level 4 felony, a category that can carry a sentencing range of roughly two to 12 years, according to the Indiana Code.
Level 6 felonies, which include many lower level drug and paraphernalia offenses, come with shorter maximum penalties and, in limited circumstances, can be reclassified, according to the Indiana Code.
The Madison Police Department says the investigation is still active. As of Thursday, officers had not released court dates or detailed booking information.
