Four people were charged Thursday morning after a months-long drug investigation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at a residence on East 3rd Street, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a release, detectives with the DCSO Special Investigations Unit and General Investigations Unit, along with patrol deputies, executed the warrant at approximately 8 a.m. in the 900 block of East 3rd Street. Authorities said the investigation began after receiving complaints of suspected drug activity at the residence.
During the investigation, detectives utilized confidential sources who conducted multiple undercover purchases of methamphetamine, DCSO said. When deputies served the search warrant, they reported locating trafficking quantities of methamphetamine, along with scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia.
Officials said the items seized were consistent with an active drug trafficking operation and that all evidence was collected and logged by the Sheriff’s Office.
Multiple individuals were inside the residence at the time of the search and were taken into custody and lodged at the Daviess County Detention Center, according to DCSO.
Those charged include:
James Clifford Belcher, 69
- Trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree (second or subsequent offense) — three counts
- Drug paraphernalia – buy/possess
Daniel Scott French, 46
- Trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree (complicity)
- Trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree (first offense)
- Drug paraphernalia – buy/possess
- Failure to appear (bench warrant) – theft from a building
- Failure to pay (bench warrant) – possession of burglar tools
Mariah Ann Smith, 35
- Failure to appear (bench warrant) — criminal possession of a forged instrument
Whitney Nicole Belcher, 36
- Failure to appear (bench warrant) — non-support
The investigation remains ongoing.
