Lawrenceburg, IN— On Friday, November 8, a Dearborn County Jury recently convicted Jacob Hart of Dealing in Methamphetamine within 500 feet of a School and of being a Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm during a weeklong trial.
The investigation leading to Hart’s arrest began when Lawrenceburg Police School Resource Officer Brian Potts detected a very strong odor of marijuana on a student when she reported to the school. Police conducted a welfare check at the home of the student which was located directly across the street from Central Elementary School.
Upon arrival at the door, the officers noticed an odor of marijuana coming from inside the apartment. The door was answered by Jacob Hart’s brother, Hunter Hart, who was in the process of cooking marijuana edibles in the kitchen. Officers found the two Hart brothers and three other adults inside the apartment and were arrested on a variety of charges.
Officers obtained a Search Warrant, and additional items of drug contraband were found throughout the house. In Jacob Hart’s bedroom, Officers located a cigarette pack containing methamphetamine along with other evidence of dealing. While officers were collecting the evidence, Jacob Hart’s cell phone received a message asking if Hart could sell him 2 grams of Meth.
The phones located in Hart’s bedroom were later analyzed, and a video of Hart was discovered on his girlfriend’s phone in which he was waving a handgun. Hart was previously convicted of battery causing serious bodily injury, which makes Hart a Serious Violent Felon, and therefore prohibits him from having any firearm.
Prosecutor Lynn Deddens stated “I want to thank the Lawrenceburg Police Department for their thorough work in this case and their assistance in bringing it to trial, and Deputy Prosecutors Blaine Burgess and Jeff Wilson for presenting the case to the jury. I especially want to thank the members of the Jury for their attention through hours of testimony and their thoughtful consideration of the evidence.”
Jacob Hart’s Sentencing Hearing will be November 27th before Judge James Humphrey of the Dearborn Circuit Court, and the pronouncement of the sentence will be on December 4th. Hart faces up to 28 years in jail on the two Counts.
Prosecutor Deddens stated, “This is yet another reminder to the community to always contact law enforcement when there may be a concern of drug dealing in your neighborhood. We can’t allow these activities to continue in our community, especially in such close proximity to Elementary School children.” Deddens continued, “Our special crimes tip line is always available to take reports and we encourage the public to use it any time there is a concern.”
To report a crime, please call the special crimes unit 24-hour tip line at (812) 537-3571.
