Six arrested after citizen’s tip leads to raid on Columbus home

Local News
James F. Wood II. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Six people were arrested last week on drug charges after a citizen’s tip led police to raid a home on 13th Street. The Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team raid involved the Indiana State Police, Bartholomew County deputies and Columbus police officers.

Police say that a concerned citizen contacted the Indiana State Police Versailles post about suspicious activity at the home in the 3100 block of 13th Street. That started an investigation which led to the raid on Thursday that uncovered heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The target of the raid was 34-year-old James F. Woods II, of Base Road, who was found to be leaving the property just before the search warrant was served, according to police reports. His vehicle was stopped at Gladstone and McKinley Avenues. He was arrested along with a passenger, 29-year-old Christopher Tays of Franklin, after a search of the car and occupants revealed drugs, drug paraphernalia and a handgun..

The raid revealed an unidentified powdery material throughout the home. That led police to call in the Indiana State Police drug lab team, who wore hazmat suits to secure the scene.

Four people were arrested in and around the home.

Michelle S. Clark. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

42-year-old Michelle Clark of Columbus and 45-year-old Mackcena Kirby of Bloomington, and 28-year-old Whitney Bunting of Columbus were found inside the home and arrested.

Prior to the raid, 51-year-old Timothy Dunham of Columbus, was seen outside the home adjusting items inside the trunk and hood of a vehicle. A search revealed those areas of the car contained  marijuana, heroin, syringes, drug paraphernalia, and a controlled substance.

Those arrested, and the charges against them include:

James F. Wood II

  • Indiana Department of Corrections Nationwide Extradition Warrant
  •  Maintaining a Common Nuisance
  • Dealing Heroin
  • Dealing Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Heroin
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Handgun by Serious Violent Felon
  • Possession of Handgun without a License
  • Possession of Syringe
  • Possession of Paraphernalia
Christopher L. Tays. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Christopher L. Tays

  • ​Visiting a Common Nuisance
  • Trafficking with an Inmate
  • Possession of Heroin X2
  • Possession of Syringe X2
  • Possession of Paraphernalia X2

Michelle S. Clark

  • Maintaining a Common Nuisance
  • Possession of Heroin
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Syringe
  • Possession of Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Paraphernalia
Mackcena G. Kirby. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Whitney A. Bunting

  • Maintaining a Common Nuisance
  • Possession of Heroin
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Syringe
  • Possession of Paraphernalia

Timothy Dunham

  • Maintaining a Common Nuisance
  • Visiting a Common Nuisance
  • Possession of Heroin
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Syringe
  • Possession of Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Paraphernalia
    Timothy W. Dunham. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Mackcena G. Kirby

  • ​Monroe County Warrant
  • Maintaining a Common Nuisance
  • Visiting a Common Nuisance
  • Possession of Heroin
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Syringe
  • Possession of Paraphernalia
  • False Informing
    Whitney A. Bunting. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.