Three Arrested On Drug-Related Charges; One Later Found To Have Given False Name

This incident occurred on Tuesday.

Shannon Bell, Michael A. Marino, Marcia Pearl Thompson. Photo Provided.

(Salem, Ind.) - Three people were arrested on drug-related charges Tuesday in two separate incidents.

At approximately three o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Troopers Eric Powers and Kyle Taylor went to 104 Teressa Street in Salem to locate 39-year-old Michael Anthony Marino. Marino was wanted for Battery. After a brief search, Trooper Powers found Michael Marino hiding in a bedroom closet. As Powers attempted to take Marino into custody, he observed Michael Marino throw an item underneath a nearby bed. That item was later identified as methamphetamine. An approximate total of 3.5 grams of methamphetamine was eventually located.

Around 10 pm that same evening, Trooper Kyle Taylor stopped a Ford Ranger truck for speeding and a taillight violation near College Avenue and Cherry Street. The driver was identified as Shannon Bell, 48, of Campbellsburg, Indiana. The passenger was identified as Carolyn Sue Beatty, 60, of Madison, Indiana. Trooper Taylor observed Bell throw an object towards a nearby house as Bell stepped from the vehicle.

Bell was detained and found to have an arrest warrant for possession of methamphetamine. The object was located and identified as methamphetamine. During a subsequent vehicle search, Trooper Taylor located a second bag of methamphetamine on the passenger floorboard. Several syringes, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana were also found in the search. The methamphetamine totaled approximately 12 grams.

Updated Story Monday March 29.

It was announced today Monday, March 29, that the suspect listed as Carolyn Beatty is actually Marcia Pearl Thompson, 59, of Madison, Indiana. Officers learned that Marcia Thompson provided false information and provided her sister's identity at the time of her arrest.

Marcia Thompson was wanted on a Theft warrant from Decatur County at the time of her arrest and is now additionally charged with Identity Deception (level 6 felony), and False Informing (class a misdemeanor). 

The official charges for the three are as follows:

Michael A. Marino:

1. Battery (Warrant) - Level 6 Felony

2. Dealing in Methamphetamine over 1 gram - Level 3 Felony

3. Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 5 Felony

4. Possession of Paraphernalia - A Misdemeanor

Shannon Bell: 

1. Dealing in Methamphetamine - Level 2 Felony

2. Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony

3. Unlawful Possession of Syringe - Level 6 Felony

4. Possession of Marijuana - B Misdemeanor

5. Possession of Paraphernalia - A Misdemeanor

Bell was also arrested on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 6 Felony.

Carolyn Beatty (Marcia Pearl Thompson):

1. Dealing in Methamphetamine - Level 2 Felony

2. Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony

3. Unlawful Possession of Syringe - Level 6 Felony

4. Possession of Marijuana - B Misdemeanor

5. Possession of Paraphernalia - A Misdemeanor

6. Identity Deception - Level 6 Felony

7.  False Informing - Class A Misdemeanor