By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

Two suspects were arrested earlier this week after police were tipped off by confidential informants regarding alleged drug dealing activity from a  local residence and Terre Haute motel.

Booked into the Vigo County Jail Wednesday:

• Dylan M. Smith, 28, Terre Haute. Dealing synthetic drug-- commonly known as K2  and maintaining a common nuisance.
• Stephanie D. Smith, 24, Brazil. Dealing synthetic drug, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of synthetic drug.

Initially, a set - up was planned involving a drug transaction to be monitored by officers, ultimately leading to the two arrests, according to court documents.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Detective Daniel LaFavre, of the Terre Haute Police Department, Dylan Smith, was the target of the investigation beginning Feb. 18. The witnesses told detectives with the Vigo County Drug Task Force that Smith was a large distributor of K2 locally and was known to sell it from his nothside residence on Rosehill Avenue.

Video and audio recording was made of the transaction involving $500 of task force "buy money" in exchange for a pound of the synthetic marijuana around 10:30 p.m.

"Smith sold [the informant] a black plastic bag containing green plant material," court documents explain. Smith also reportedly was overheard saying he would be making another batch of the illegal substance sometime the next day.

The substance obtained is consistent with other synthetic marijuana chemical substance investigators  have seen in past investigations, LaFavre said, noting that there is no field test available in Vigo County for the drug. It was sent to the Indiana State Police lab for analysis.

Meanwhile, a search warrant was executed at the residence Feb. 19.

During the search of the residence, the following items were located inside:
1, Two black plastic baggies,each containing green plant material -- suspected synthetic marijuana.
2. One black 9mm handgun
3. One black digital scale
4. Various medications

Wednesday, detectives were tipped off by an anonymous source that Dylan Smith was staying at the Rodeway Inn on S. Third Street, and was allegedly continuing his drug dealing activity at the motel.

Detectives conducted surveillance of the motel. They subsequently noticed the suspect getting into the passenger side of a vehicle, while keeping watch. A short time later, the vehicle was stopped by the officers due to traffic violations,  as it turned off onto Eighth Avenue.

Officers immediately detected suspicious behavior.

They reportedly noticed a substance spilled on the floorboard of the vehicle and could smell what appeared to be K2 emitting from the interior. According to the affidavit, a hat was also observed in plain sight, which contained a large amount of cash. 

Smith was taken into custody during the traffic stop.  Lafavre notes that the suspect has multiple prior convictions for the same offenses.

Officers searched a backpack in his possession and found multiple items, including a large amount of US currency, bundled and rolled up with rubber bands. They found a large digital scale with powder and plant -like residue, numerous large bags of powders and large bags containing synthetic plant - like substance. The contents later tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids, according to the report.

Smith reportedly admitted the substances belonged to him.

"Dylan stated that he was 'done with it' and "was going to get rid of it," according to the court documents. "Dylan added that he was in fear of getting the Coronavirus, due to raw materials being shipped from Asia. Dylan then asked how detectives knew of his illegal behavior and believed he knew of a possible 'snitch.'"

Back at the motel, even more items were seized after another search warrant was obtained for the investgation.

Multiple cans of acetone (commonly used with producing K2), rolling papers and plant - like materials were located in the room. Some items were disposed of due to health hazards, according to the court documents.

Stephanie Smith was  taken into custody during the search of the room. According to the report, she denied knowing any illegal substances were in the motel room. She also reportedly had been staying there two days with Dylan. She told detectives that her child had been there the previous day, as well.

Both suspects remain held in the jail. They are scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News
​
A Terre Haute man was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of a friend  a year -and -a half -ago. 

The victim, Gage Eup, 18. was attending a party at a residence on Cleveland Avenue when he was shot in the face and killed Aug. 5, 2018, 

Dylan M. Morgan, now 22, reportedly was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, when he grabbed a semi-automatic handgun. Officials say he pointed it at Eup and shot him.

Last December, a jury found Morgan guilty of the murder.

Vigo County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts argued that to give less than the 55 year advisory sentence would depreciate the seriousness of this murder. He  adds that Morgan’s lack of remorse, as well as his recent conviction and violation of pretrial release, balanced out any mitigating circumstances. 

Judge John Roach agreed, as was demonstrated at the sentencing today.

Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt notes that intoxication is no defense in committing a crime in Indiana.

Modesitt points out that, while all murder cases are tragic, ones in which victim's lives are taken at such young ages leave everyone grappling with emotions.

" But, when it happens to someone that just graduated high school, with their entire future ahead of them -- that hurts even more, ”  he stated.

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