<p class="m_-2642175707437432149gd_p" align="left">The Greenwood Community High School varsity golf coach has been arrested on multiple felony drug dealing charges.</p>
Benjamin L. Beatty, 37, of Columbus, was arrested after a traffic stop by Indiana State Police on Tuesday. During the investigation, police found methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia, according to a news release from the state police.
Beatty has been the varsity golf coach at Greenwood high school, but the school district has started the process to fire him, the school district said in a written statement.
Beatty is a middle school and high school boys golf coach only and has no other jobs at the school district. He has had no contact with students since superintendent Kent DeKoninck learned of the arrest, the school said.
"Based upon information received to this point, all conduct by Mr. Beatty leading to the charges are not connected with any Greenwood Community Schools students," the statement said.
The traffic stops and arrests were part of an ongoing narcotics investigation by the All Crimes Policing Team along with the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, police said. It is unclear how long, or if, Beatty had been under investigation before Tuesday.
Beatty was arrested on felony charges of dealing methamphetamine, dealing heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of a syringe, counterfeiting, and misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Indiana State Police stopped a vehicle on State Road 46 in Columbus on Tuesday. An Indiana State Police K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle, troopers said.
<p class="m_-2642175707437432149gd_p" align="left">During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected heroin, a syringe, and drug paraphernalia. The driver of the vehicle, Jared K. Elsner, 33, Seymour, was arrested and on charges of felony possession of heroin, felony possession of syringe and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.</p>
<p class="m_-2642175707437432149gd_p" align="left">Troopers then conducted a traffic stop on a second vehicle on State Road 46 at Carr Hill Road in Columbus. Beatty, the driver, resisted the trooper and was detained at the scene, state police said.</p>
<p class="m_-2642175707437432149gd_p" align="left">During a search of Beatty’s vehicle, troopers located approximately one ounce of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Beatty was arrested and taken to the Bartholomew County Jail.</p>
