Fire Alarm Leads To Drug Bust At Local Hotel

This incident happened on Monday, May 4.

(C. Brashears, R. Burton, and D. Widener. Photos provided by Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.)

(Greendale, Ind.) - What started as a fire alarm led to a possible drug ring operation in Greendale. 

Around 8:25 a.m. last Monday, May 4, Greendale Police Department Assistant Chief Jeffery Lane was called to the Baymont Inn by Greendale Fire Chief Shannon Craig. 

Chief Craig had identified that the source of the fire alarm was in room 318, where narcotics were found in plain view. 

"This case began as a possible fire, but quickly turned to a drug crime investigation when multiple drugs and paraphernalia were found in the hotel room in plain view," said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. 

Upon Assistant Chief Lane's arrival, three suspects, Chas Brashears, Timothy Fluegeman, and Destiny Billingsley, were speaking with Chief Craig. When approaching room 318, Lane immediately noticed a strong marijuana odor.  

Once inside the room, investigators found partly burned marijuana cigarettes, syringes, and an orange cap containing what was believed to be heroin. 

After a search warrant was ordered, officers found a large bag of "green leafy, plant-like material" believed to be marijuana, weighing one pound. A white powdery substance, multiple syringes loaded with a brown liquid substance, a plastic bag containing numerous lime green pills consistent with Xanax, glass pipes, and a large amount of small zip lock style bags were found. 

Brashears was taken to Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center after resisting law enforcement and injuring two officers. 

Throughout the investigation, it was found that another individual identified as Daniel Widener was involved in the distribution and trafficking of methamphetamine. powder and crack cocaine, and marijuana to many throughout Dearborn County. The hotel room was registered in Widener's name. 

Officers later learned that hotel manager, Ron Burton, brought individuals to Brashears or Widener's room to buy drugs. 

Fluegeman was searched at the Law Enforcement Center where is was found to have a bag of green-leafy plant material, consistent with marijuana, in his pants.

"I am always glad to put a stop to drug dealing in our community. I applaud our law enforcement officers, Assistant Chief Lane of Greendale Police, and Greendale Fire Chief Craig for their work in this case along with officers from Greendale Police, Lawrenceburg Police, Special Crimes Unit, and the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department. We will continue to fight back against drug dealers in Dearborn County," said Deddens. 

Brashears has been charged with two counts of Battery on a Public Safety Official (Level 5 Felony), Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Scheduled IV Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Marijuana in Excess of 30 Grams (Level 6 Felony). In addition to those charges, he is also facing Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor) and Conspiracy to Deal Methamphetamine over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony). 

Fluegeman was charged with Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Marijuana in Excess of 30 Grams (Level 6 Felony). 

Widener and Burton were both charged with Conspiracy to Deal Methamphetamine over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony). 

Billingsley was charges with Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Marijuana (Class A Misdemeanor).