Log home also site of 1999 bust

REELSVILLE -- While criminal histories can be expected in a drug bust as large as the one that netted eight arrests last week in southwestern Putnam County, in this case the house has a rap sheet.

The log home at 9730 S. CR 675 West where nearly four pounds of methamphetamine and a quarter million dollars were seized by investigators from three local sheriff's departments was the site of another substantial raid in late 1999.

That Dec. 30, 1999 police action resulted in the seizure of more than 400 guns and the arrest the owners of the home, John and Ronda Deal, on drugs, weapons and theft charges.

The original case was the culmination of an investigation by the former United Drug Task Force that included three "controlled buys" of methamphetamine by undercover officers and the eventual arrest of the Deals.

In the 1999 raid, police found no drug lab. Instead, investigators said an associate of the Deals manufactured the drugs in Owen County.

Tom Helmer, then the Putnam County sheriff, told the Banner Graphic that inventorying all they found on the property would take weeks.

"Scattered around the property were various vehicles and watercraft," the Jan. 3, 2001 Banner Graphic story reported. "A barn contained several motorcycles. Six semi-trailers contained furniture, guns and other collectibles."

The firearms seized in the raid were later turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

In the resulting court cases, John Deal eventually pled guilty to a Class B felony of dealing in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and a Class D felony charge of receiving stolen property.

He was sentenced to 10 years with the Department of Correction, a sentenced later modified, allowing for his June 2004 release.

Ronda Deal (whose name was spelled "Rhonda" in court and newspaper documents of the time) entered a guilty plea to Class D felony maintaining a common nuisance. She received a sentence of 18 months, with no time in prison.

In the time since, John Deal was again convicted of drug charges, Class B felony dealing in methamphetamine. In that case, he was also linked to stolen items at another rural Reelsville residence.

He is currently serving an 18-year sentenced at Branchville Correctional Facility with the earliest potential release date of May 19, 2018.

Unlike her ex-husband, Ronda Deal had seemingly kept a clean record since her 2001 conviction -- until last week.

The current case appears to be more about drugs than weapons or other possible stolen items.

One similarity in the two cases is the extra time spent on the property by investigators.

While the initial raid netted four arrests, four more were made during the nearly three full days during which detectives from the Putnam, Clay and Vigo county sheriff's departments remained at the site processing the drugs, money and weapons found.

Ronda Deal and boyfriend James Wright, both of Reelsville, were charged with two counts of dealing in methamphetamine over three grams, two counts of possession of methamphetamine over three grams, possession of stolen property and maintaining a common nuisance.

Ronda Deal faces an additional charge of conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.

Also initially arrested were John Deal's daughter Lindsey Deal, along with Jacquelyn Riser, on counts of visiting a common nuisance.

Four more unlucky visitors showed up at the Deal home in the coming days.

Eric Girton of Brazil was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

Brian Doane of Indianapolis was arrested for operating while intoxicated/refusal and possession of a controlled substance.

Luis Alberto Calderon of Indianapolis showed up in the Deal driveway with the bulk of the methamphetamine seized in the operation -- more than 3-1/2 pounds. He faces charges of dealing in methamphetamine over three grams and possession of methamphetamine over three grams.

Everett Earl Minnick of Knightsville was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, visiting a common nuisance and being a habitual traffic violator.

No court date is yet known for any of the eight people arrested.