Investigation leads to meth lab arrests in Jasper
The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department arrested three men on drug charges after purchases of pseudoephedrine led to an investigation by a deputy.
Over-the-counter cold, flu and allergy medicines are kept behind pharmacy counters according to state law. When customers purchase the items they are required to show identification and sign a log book accessible by the police. Police use the log to identify multiple purchases of these items due to their use in manufacturing meth.
Through the investigation the deputy and the Jasper Police Department were led to 48-year-old Michael S. Schepers’ residence.
Deputies, the Jasper Police detective and a K-9 unit with the Indiana State Police went to Schepers’ residence Tuesday afternoon. Prior to gaining access to the residence they detected an odor of ammonia at the front door.
When officers gained entrance to the residence they found an active one-pot meth lab and the three men identified as Schepers, 32-year-old Derick E. Lowe of Vincennes and 42-year-old Douglas E. Shipman of French Lick. The house was secured until the Indiana State Police clandestine lab team was able to enter and dismantle the lab.
While in the residence police also found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and precursors used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Charges:
Derick E. Lowe
- Manufacturing Meth (Class B Felony)
- Possession of Precursors (Class C Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
- Maintaining a Nuisance (Misdemeanor)
Douglas E. Shipman
- Manufacturing Meth (Class B Felony)
- Possession of Precursors (Class C Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
- Maintaining a Nuisance (Misdemeanor)
Michael S. Schepers
- Manufacturing Meth (Class B Felony)
- Possession of Precursors (Class C Felony)
- Maintaining a Nuisance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
Way to go Law Enforcement! Take these dirtbags off the street, since, by their appearance and age alone, they are probably "dealer" rather than casual "users"!
Doug Shipman has no affiliation with these other two men. He does not use, manufacture, or deal with methamphetamine! Shipman was told through a mutual friend that Mike Schepers had some building materials that he could purchase for a home that he has been restoring. He simply stopped by to view said materials, putting him in the wrong place at the wrong time. Shipman had absolutely no knowledge of what this man had in his home, nor will his name be found on any list for purchasing pharmaceuticals. The police need to do a thorough investigation before they rip someone's life away and slander their name through the media. This is America! Is a man not innocent until proven guilty?
I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that people doing something as illegal as cooking meth in their home, would let random others inside. Sure they say innocent until proven guilty, but it's really "guilty until you can prove yourself innocent." We shall see how innocent he was.