Austin Man Arrested after Suspected Meth Lab discovered in Mobile Home

The investigation continues and will be updated if and when charges are filed.

Austin, Indiana - Indiana State Police Troopers arrested a Scott County man for manufacturing methamphetamine and other drug-related charges on Friday after investigators served a search warrant on his residence on an unrelated investigation.

Friday morning, investigators with the Indiana State Police (ISP) Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) served a search warrant on a residence on the 1300 block of West York Road in Austin, Indiana. 29-year-old Ryan L. Napier and 34-year-old Jonathan Pennington occupied the mobile home at the time of the search. While conducting the initial safety sweep of the residence, Senior Trooper Brett Walters observed alleged chemicals and equipment associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Trooper Walters is a member of the ISP Clandestine Lab Team and is trained and familiar with the illegal manufacturing of illicit drugs.  After clearing the residence, all officers involved in the search exited, and Trooper Walters applied for a second search warrant relating to his discovery of a possible drug lab.

A Scott County Judge granted the warrant, and early Friday afternoon, Trooper Walters, along with other members of the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team, re-entered the residence after donning appropriate safety gear. During the search, officers collected suspected drug precursors and manufacturing equipment as well as several firearms.

As a result of the second search warrant, Ryan Napier was arrested and charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, a Level 5 Felony, Possession of Drug Precursors, a Level 5 Felony, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Level 6 Felony. Jonathan Pennington was charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance, a Level 6 Felony.

Both individuals were transported to the Scott County Jail Without incident. The initial ICAC search warrant was resumed after the residence was cleared and deemed safe. That investigation continues and will be updated if and when charges are filed.

Officers from the Austin Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff's Department assisted ISP during the investigation.