5 arrested on drug charges in Mercer County

CELINA — Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reported Tuesday the arrest of several individuals on Monday night for drug-related charges. The Heroin Interdiction Team (HIT), which is a joint effort of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Celina Police Department and Coldwater Police Department, were working a concentrated effort on drug tips that had been recently received by the law enforcement agencies.

Patrol deputies stopped a vehicle leaving a residence suspected of being involved in drug activity after witnessing a traffic violation.

The sheriff’s office K-9, Hex, conducted a freeair sniff of around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle found suspected methamphetamines inside.

Joseph R. Gardner, 33, of 104 E. Jefferson St. in Mendon, was arrested for possession of methamphetamines, a felony of the fifth degree.

He was incarcerated at the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility and held without bond.

Deputies and officers then applied for, and received, a search warrant issued by acting Celina Municipal Court Judge Louis J. Schiavone for a residence at 506 N. Mill St. in Celina. Drugs and cash were recovered from the residence.

The following people were arrested during the search of the residence: Brittany N. Muter, 20, of 506 N. Mill St. Celina. Muter was charged with possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and she is currently being held on no bond; Brandan P. Montague, 28, of 506 N. Mill St. was charged with possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and is currently being held on no bond; Andrea N. Rinderle, 21, of 440 Touvelle St. Lot 33 in Celina, was charged with posses

sion of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and is currently being held on no bond; Michael S. McLeland, 37, of 506 N. Mill St., Celina, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and his bond was set at $50,000, subject to 10% by Mercer County Probate Juvenile Judge Matthew L. Gilmore.

Grey reported that the HIT Team conducted a total of nine traffic stops and issues four traffic citations and five written warnings as a result of the effort.

The HIT Team was assisted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in preparation of the search warrant.