Prosecutor Announces Successful Conclusion to Operation Thin Blue Line, 6 arrested including former ISP officer

Six individuals were arrested this week including a former Indiana State Police Trooper after a search warrant was served on 11B Road in Plymouth.

Friday morning the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office announced the completion of an operation conducted by the Marshall County Drug Task Force (MCDTF) in conjunction with the Indiana State Police, Net 43, Marshall County Police, Plymouth Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, and Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

The search warrant was executed around 1:00 p.m. on June 18th at 12670 11B Road. The warrant was obtained after a lengthy investigation that yielded the purchase and discovery of approximately 354 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

In addition to the discovery of the methamphetamine, officers discovered several pounds of ammonium nitrate and several blister packs of pseudoephedrine. Officers also discovered a methamphetamine lab on the property.  

Arrested at the location were Nathan Vanderaa, Amy Day, Ethan Drang, Madisyn Brody, Austin Vanderaa, and Ashlen McMillen all of the 11B Road address in Plymouth.

Nathan Vanderaa, 46, a former Indiana State Police Officer, and owner of the property is currently being held on charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine as a Level 3 Felony, Manufacturing Methamphetamine as a Level 4 Felony and Maintaining A Common Nuisance a Level 6 Felony.  Vanderaa is held on a $50,000 cash bond.

Amy Day, 43, is also being held on the same charges with a $50,000 bond.

Ethan Drang, 22, was booked into the Marshall County Jail for Visiting A Common Nuisance. 

Madisyn Brody, 19, was booked into the county jail for possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance.

Austin Vanderaa, 22, was booked into the county for possession of marijuana.

Ashlen McMillen, 21, was booked into the Marshall County Jail for possession of marijuana.

Drang, Brody, Austin Vanderaa, and McMillen have all bonded out of jail.

Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman stated that he is forever grateful for this coordinated effort to remove this poison from our community. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Langowski who oversees the Drug Task Force, wanted to thank the efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved.

MCDTF Lead Detective, Det. Sgt. Jonathan Bryant, wants the community to know that the team works in tandem with area law enforcement to relentlessly pursue those dealing poison in our community. Investigations like this would not be possible without the support of other law enforcement officers and tips from the citizens of Marshall County.

Readers are reminded that criminal charges are mere allegations, and that the individuals so charged are presumed innocent of the allegations unless or until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.