Posey Co. authorities arrest 21 people in ‘Operation Last Dance’ drug bust

POSEY CO., Ind. (WFIE) - An almost year long investigation has led to the arrest of 20 people.

The Posey County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation has been going on since June 2022.

According to a release, the Posey County Drug Task Force, along with the help of other law enforcement agencies, were able to make those arrests after executing multiple warrants.

“If you’re going to deal drugs in Posey County we are going to come after you, I promise we’re coming after you,” said Posey Co. Sheriff Tom Latham.

Sheriff Latham says over a dozen law enforcement agencies came together to execute the operation.

“Everybody from around this area all come together for the same objective,” Sheriff Latham said. “Our main objective in law enforcement is to maintain safety and security within our communities. We’re going to do whatever we can within the confines of the law, the constitution, to make sure we do it.”

10 teams of officers served over a dozen search and arrest warrants early Thursday morning.

‘Operation Last Dance’ spanned 11 months, and utilized undercover buys and confidential informants to sniff out the drug scene in the county.

“We sometimes go a month after we’re done making undercover buys just to plan out the operation,” said Kenneth Rose, Supervisor of the Posey Co. Drug Task Force.

The operation also marked the last time in 45 years that Rose would be at the helm of large drug raids in Posey Co.

“I always reserved that special privilege of giving the operations a name for myself,” Rose said.

Sheriff Latham spoke after the raid to how much Rose would be missed in the drug task force.

“He’s done a lot of these, and I can’t commend him enough for his efforts, of his service to Posey County,” Sheriff Latham said.

All suspects from the operation are charged with drug related crimes from dealing to maintaining a common nuisance.

The people arrested stretched from Mount Vernon, Indiana all the way to Illinois.

PCSO says as a result of the investigation, the following suspects face criminal charges:

• Joshua Walden
• William Maysville
• Birchie Stillwagoner
• Katie Jones
• Joshua Moore
• Erica Higgins
• Chrystal Whitmer
• Haley Overton
• Cody Smith
• Brandyn Cox
• Jeffrey Turpin
• Robert Blankenship
• Troy Stewart
• Robert Blankenship
• Christina Alumbaugh
• Andrae Ellington Jr.
• Kristina Hall
• Michael Turpin
• Cesar Herrera
• Alex Kempf
• Sara Grabert
• Deana Byrd

According to a release, 29-year-old Cody Smith has not yet been arrested and remains at large.

They say if anyone has any information regarding his whereabouts, contact the Posey County Dispatch at 812-838-1320.

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