TEXTBOOK DRUG STING NETS MENKEDICK FOR METH

The Sting Has Been Under Way Since April

Westport's Tim Menkedick has been on the wrong side of a classic drug
sting for some time. The Indiana State Police have been building a
case against him for months and he did nothing to stop them.

Friday, he was finally taken down.

Menkedick, 41, 2704 S. Waterplant Road, was arrested by Trooper
Anthony Scott for dealing in methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and
dealing in marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor. He was also charged with
possessing meth, a D felony and marijuana, an A misdemeanor.

Conviction on a Class B felony carries a possible maximum sentence of
20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Scott and Deputy Eric Kramer stopped Menkedick early Friday morning
near his home. Inside his white Chevrolet truck they found exactly
what they expected.

"Upon a search of his person I located a plastic bag containing plant
material and a small metal container with two plastic bags. One
contained a white powder substance and one a white rock-like
substance," Scott reports. "Menkedick indicated the white substances
were methamphetamine."

The officers next searched the vehicle. Inside they found another
plastic bag with the white substance, on the floorboard of the
driver's side . They also found digital scales and a mirror with
white powder residue on the center console and a glass tube behind
the passenger's seat.

That encounter led to the possession charges. The drug-dealing
charges are far more complex.

State troopers, utilizing surveillance equipment and a confidential
informant, have been procuring meth and marijuana from Menkedick since April.

Early in the spring, a confidential informant told Troopers he
visited Menkedick and was told how the suspect went to Indianapolis
on April 2 and bought four or five "eight balls," 1/8 ounce each, of
meth. Menkedick also reportedly told the informant he was making
these trips north two or three times a week. The informant also told
police of seeing approximately four grams of meth and 1/4 pound of
marijuana during that visit.

Starting then, Menkedick was squarely positioned on the State Police radar.

Two weeks later, on April 13, the informant was put in play.
Outfitted with a Sony digital recorder and provided with documented
currency, a buy was planned.

"The confidential informant (CI) asked Menkedick if he had a "ball,"
referring to an eight ball. Menkedick told the CI he didn't, but had
a gram," official reports document. "Menkedick delivered one gram of
methamphetamine."

Police then met up with the CI at a pre-determined location and
secured the drugs, debriefed the informant and listened to the tape.

These clandestine operations continued through May, each time
producing new evidence leading up to Friday's arrest. One time
Menkedick even gave the informant free marijuana perhaps proving the
old adage, 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

Menkedick was taken to Decatur County District Court hours after his
incarceration for an initial hearing.

Judge John Westhafer advised him of his rights and entered a
preliminary not guilty plea during the rather uneventful hearing.

Menkedick indicated he would hire an attorney on his own and was
remanded back to jail until he can post a $50,000 cash-only bond.

A trial date has been set for 9 a.m. February 27.

Story Comments

------- Great Job Officers, I live close to where all this was
found and this is really a scarey thing to know, Im trying to raise 2
happy and healthy boys, and it makes me sick to know these people are
close to home, I just hope and pray this is the end of this kind of
thing, I hope these people know our officers will always be one step
behind them! So Hats off to our officers, Keep up the Good work!

------- I am so thrilled with how our law enforcement is working
to get these thugs! Great job! It tells the people if youre doing and
dealing you cant trust anyone! So not only should the drugs make them
paranoid but not knowing if they are going down should make them
paranoid too. I love seeing this on the front page. Great job!! sharon

------- Great job guys. However him & Kevin Fields were in this
for way over a year. It has been going on for 5 years or better. So
you guys are way behind. Please everyone keep your eyes open & don't
be affraid to talk. I wish I had long time ago. look up

------- Keep going! Our law enforcement is doing a great job
bringing down these druggies~ I am happy to live in a town that cares
to get rid of these thugs with their drugs. At 41 if you havent
learned by now you never will. Lock him up and throw away the key. connie
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