Meth charge could bring pair up to 30 years in jail
Two persons arrested recently by the Decatur Police Department could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on charges they face for dealing in methamphetamine which is considered a level two felony offense.
Prosecuting Attorney Jeremy W. Brown released probable cause affidavits used to outline the case for the arrest of Robin M. Ray and Bernardo Garcia.
In the data released, Brown affirmed that “on or about January 1, 2023, Robin M. Ray and Bernardo Garcia did knowingly or intentionally possess with the intent to deliver or finance the delivery of methamphetamine, pure or adulterated, having a weight of at least five grams but less than 10 grams.”
Both Ray and Garcia lived together on Selkirk Lane in Decatur and at the time of arrest both were in possession of a firearm contrary to state law in Indiana Code 35-48-4-1.1(a)(2) and in 35-48-4-1.1(e)(2).
Brown stressed that both persons have yet to face trial in Adams Circuit Court and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The arrest affidavit for Ray noted neighbors in the Selkirk Lane area had been complaining about increased traffic to and from Ray’s house as early as spring of 2022 which is the time that Garcia had allegedly moved in. Those complaints included suspicious persons entering with bags but leaving with nothing, numerous vehicles not normally seen in the neighborhood and people leaving within minutes of their arrival.
Friday nights were often the busiest according to neighbors and their reports to police said it was often the same vehicles/people that would briefly stop on a weekly basis. They said a car load of people would arrive but just one person would go into the house and within a few minutes that person and the car would leave.
Ray was stopped on a traffic charge on January 2 and during the stop, police discovered approximately one gram of methamphetamine and a handgun.
She was taken into custody after being read her rights and interviewed. Ray admitted there was more methamphetamine inside a gun safe at her house but denied police consent to search the premises so a search warrant was obtained and on January 3 the warrant was executed. Police found nearly nine grams of “an opaque crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine” inside the safe.
DPD lieutenant/ detective Kevin Gerber was at the scene and noted in the affidavit that through his training and experience as an officer and narcotic investigator that “nine grams of methamphetamine is well beyond an amount for personal use.”
Also found during the search were digital scales with an unknown white substance on it and a glass smoking pipe with burnt residue inside it as well as a .22 caliber bolt action rifle and hundreds of .22 live rounds of ammunition. Other evidence discovered suggested gun modification was occurring in the same room and two shortened shotguns were found.
During a follow-up interview with police, Ray admitted the methamphetamine, pipe, and scales belonged to her and Garcia. She also admitted other guns had been present in the residence between December 22 and January 2 but that she got rid of them after Garcia had been arrested and he sent her cryptic messages from jail instructing her to do so.
Garcia had been arrested on December 22 on an outstanding Huntington County arrest warrant and later he listed the Selkirk Lane address as being his residence. He also noted he had been unemployed and had zero income.
A pre-trial conference for Ray in Adams Circuit Court has been set for 10:30 a.m. on March 3. Circuit Court officials said an entry for Garcia’s pre-trial conference had not yet been submitted.