Brazil tip leads to a three-county investigation into burglaries, drugs

BRAZIL -- A citizen tip led officers to a Brazil domestic dispute, which has evolved into an investigation about stolen property, burglaries and illegal drugs in Clay, Putnam and Parke counties.

According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, a concerned citizen reported a domestic dispute at a Brazil home on Saturday, Jan. 26. When officers arrived at the house, Richard Paitson, 32, and Nycole Paitson, 29, were questioned while deputies noticed illegal drugs and items "in plain view."

Deputies also discovered a bank envelope containing approximately $3,400 in U.S. Savings Bonds that had been reported stolen out of another county.

As a result of the investigation, the Paitsons were taken into custody and arrested for possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

Both charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance, they remain incarcerated at the Clay County Justice Center on a $7,000 bond with 10 percent allowed to await further court proceedings.

As the investigation into stolen property continued, it was determined there had been multiple thefts in Putnam and Parke counties.

A joint investigation was established with the law enforcement agencies in those counties, which enabled numerous items to be located, Clay County officials said.

As part of the investigation, Joshua T. Pleake, 28, Carbon, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Parke County for burglary.

Pleake also has pending charges of two counts of resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a syringe and driving while suspended, with a $7,000 bond with 10 percent allowed.

John "JJ" Lawhorn, 36, Brazil, was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the burglaries, including possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of syringe and possession of methamphetamine with a cash bond of $7,000.

Authorities expect more charges will follow for the suspects' involvement in burglaries in both Putnam and Parke counties.

According to the court records website Doxpop, neither the Paitsons, Pleake nor Lawhorn has a criminal history in Putnam County.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any stolen property to call 812-446-2535, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 653-8606 or the Parke County Sheriff's Office at 765-569-5413.