Sheriff’s Deputies catch man wanted in connection with meth bust

A Williamsburg man is being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond, after being arrested early Wednesday morning in connection with a methamphetamine bust nearly four months ago.

Sheriff’s Deputy Ronnie Bowling served Andy Ray Lewis, 32, of 496 Little Wolf Creek Road, with an arrest warrant about 2:17 a.m. charging him with manufacture of methamphetamine and tampering with physical evidence.

Lewis pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday afternoon before District Judge Price.

Price scheduled a Jan. 25 preliminary hearing in the case, and declined to lower the bond amount.

On Oct. 12, Lewis allegedly knowingly manufactured methamphetamine and carried away a container of Anhydrous ammonia from the scene of a methamphetamine lab, which was being raided by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, according to the arrest warrant obtained by Sheriff Lawrence Hodge on Oct. 13.

About 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, Hodge said that a confidential informant arranged for the purchase of four grams of methamphetamine.

The alleged meth dealer told the informant that he was in the process of making a batch of meth and that it would take three to four hours, Hodge said.

Sgt. Dennis Foley took a detail of deputies, including Adam Jarboe, Dorman Patrick, and Brett Reeves to Little Wolf Creek Baptist Church where they hid in an adjacent cemetery waiting for the drugs to be delivered.

Hodge said the confidential informant went to buy the drugs while he and Constable Jim Thornton followed.

At least three men showed up shortly before 4 a.m., and two were arrested.

Hodge said two suspects got away, and allegedly took the anhydrous ammonia canister used to make the meth.