CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (WDRB) -- The animal control officer in Charlestown, Indiana was arrested Friday as part of an ongoing meth investigation.
WDRB cameras were rolling as Robert Young was placed in a patrol car around 4:30 p.m., a few hours after his initial arrest.
Charlestown Police Chief Keith McDonald says Young was arrested early Friday afternoon. Police say Young sold meth to an undercover officer out of his marked city vehicle while wearing his city uniform.
Police stopped Young shortly after noon in his city vehicle, which was within sight of City Hall and the police station.
McDonald says officers found evidence of meth, both in his vehicle as well as his Charlestown apartment -- and that the arrest comes after several weeks of investigations that started with tips from the public.
As for material taken from the truck, "He did admit to officers on the scene it was for the use (of making meth). And we also had some other evidentiary items inside the vehicle that tested positive for methamphetamine, the actual tested product," McDonald said.
Young did not respond to questions from WDRB News as he was led out of the Charlestown Police Department Friday afternoon.
Young was booked in the Clark County Jail.
Young's neighbors were reluctant to speak on camera. However, several said they had no reason to suspect Young was involved in anything illegal.
A spokesperson for Charlestown Mayor Robert Hall could not immediately comment on Young's employment status, but said the mayor was aware of the drug investigation and of Young's arrest. The spokesperson also said Young's arrest would not affect animal control's ability to respond to calls.
McDonald pointed out the significance of the arrest, given the fact that Young served in a position of trust and authority.
Young is charged with dealing, possession of meth and manufacturing meth. More charges could follow.
An initial court hearing is not likely until next week.
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Robert Young (Source: Charlestown Police Department)
