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Monroe County bust leads to two arrests

RINARD MILLS — Deputies recovered more than 10 grams of methamphetamine and put two individuals behind bars after they searched a home Thursday night.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of 55-year-old Edward Stewart and 60-year-old Ruth Hendershot after law enforcement served a search warrant at an address on Joe Frobish Road in Benton Township.

Sheriff Charles Black Jr. said the Monroe County Special Response Team, the Monroe County Major Crimes Task Force and the Monroe County Road Unit conducted the search around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We executed the search warrant at the residence where Edward Stewart and Melissa Collins were detained at the scene,” he said.

Both Stewart and Collins were detained while officers searched the residence.

Officers discovered 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and several weapons during the search of the residence.

Stewart was placed under arrest and transported to the sheriff’s office. Collins was released from custody.

“Stewart has a history with law enforcement,” Black said.

Stewart is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and having weapons under disability.

During the warrant execution, a vehicle attempted to pull onto the property.

“While we were there a vehicle tried to turn into the house. It sped away after they noticed the police cars,” Black said.

A deputy followed the vehicle and performed a traffic stop on Joe Frobish Road, and K-9 Officer Goofy was brought to the scene.

“K-9 officers did an open-area sniff on the vehicle and gave a positive indication,” Black said.

Hendershot was the driver of the vehicle. When officers searched it, they reportedly discovered 7 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of fentanyl. Hendershot was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As of Friday, both Stewart and Hendershot remained in the Monroe County Jail. Bond had not yet been set.

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