A sheriff’s office two-day investigation into a robbery and drug case led to deputies launching tear gas into a Center Grove area home.
Three people, including a known drug dealer, were arrested on drug-related charges.
The incident started with a robbery report on Wednesday night in the 1800 block of South Morgantown Road.
Michael Gaither, 29, Indianapolis, told the deputy he was meeting Michael Farmer, 32, of Greenwood, at a nearby gas station to buy CBD oil for $300. The men went back to Farmer’s home to complete the purchase, according to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
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Gaither said he gave Farmer the money and waited outside the home for Farmer to return with the oil. Gaither told police that Farmer returned to the door holding a rifle. Gaither jumped into his vehicle, drove away and called 911, the news release said.
The sheriff’s deputy interviewed a passenger in Gaither’s vehicle, Jerid Ross, 28, Indianapolis, who said he did not have anything to do with any of the events. The deputy saw a bag containing pills that were later identified as a schedule IV controlled substance under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. A second bag of drugs was found during a search of the vehicle, according to the news release.
Both Ross and Gaither denied that the drugs were theirs. Both men were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Johnson County jail. Police found a bag of marijuana at jail intake later, the news release said.
On Thursday morning, sheriff’s detectives began investigating the robbery. During an interview with sheriff’s detectives, Gaither said he had bought drugs, including methamphetamine and marijuana, from Farmer in the past, planning to sell them. Detectives were also familiar with Farmer’s past involvements as a drug dealer, the news release said.
Detectives received a search warrant for Farmer’s home and, about 3:30 p.m., the SWAT team arrived at the residence at 5088 Olive Branch Road.
Farmer wouldn’t come out, so the SWAT team shot tear gas into the home, which forced him out of the house, according to the release.
Farmer was arrested on charges of intimidation, carrying or possession of a firearm as a serious violent offender, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. He is being held on $23,800 bond.
Gaither, of 932 Snowden Square North, was held on $4,000 bond and Ross, of 4622 Byrkit St., was held on $1,000 bond.
