MP man arrested on drug, other counts

VW County Sheriff’s Office information

MIDDLE POINT — Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has announced the arrest of a Middle Point man on several charges, mostly as the result of a drug investigation.

Norman D. Haynie, 36, was arrested by deputies on one count each of possession of heroin, a felony of the third degree; possession of marijuana, a fifth-degree felony; endangering children, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), also a first-degree misdemeanor offense.

Sheriff Riggenbach said Haynie’s arrest and subsequent charges were the result of a brief investigation by the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force into possible drug activity at 208 E. Railroad St. in Middle Point.

The sheriff noted that, during the investigation, several task force members, with assistance from Van Wert County deputies, located Haynie while he was returning to his residence in Middle Point. After contacting him at his residence, a search warrant was executed in the house.

Found in Haynie’s residence were the following items: A moderate amount of suspected heroin, a large amount of suspected marijuana, a small amount of suspected prescription medication, money, several small scales used for weighing items and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

Deputies and task force members also found that a small child had been left alone in the home for a long period of time. Sheriff Riggenbach noted that the Van Wert County Children’s Services agency was contacted about the child and came to the scene to take custody of the youngster.

Haynie was taken to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, where he is being held until an appearance in Van Wert Municipal Court on Monday.

Sheriff Riggenbach also noted that a nuisance letter would be sent to the owner of the home in which Haynie lived to provide information the illegal activities that occurred there. Property owners are required to take action to prevent future illegal activity, since the law allows for the seizure of such property if no action is taken.

The sheriff said his office and the WCOCTF will continue to aggressively investigate all reported drug activity in the county, and asks the public to provide his office with information on any alleged criminal activity in the county.

Those with information on drug activity or other crimes can contact the sheriff’s office at 419.238.3866, or use the sheriff’s office’s website at www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and click on the “Submit a Crime Tip” link.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 419.238.STOP. Those calling may remain anonymous on both the sheriff’s website and while calling Crime Stoppers.

The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, which operates in a multi-county area, is comprised of officers from the Van Wert, Allen and Paulding county sheriff’s offices, the Lima Police Department, and several state and federal agencies.