By Adam S. Sulfridge / Staff Writer
Forty-six days after Williamsburg officers arrested Joseph “Joey” Siler for possessing what they called a “substantial amount” of methamphetamine, one of WPD’s newest officers, Elijah Hunter, arrested Joey Siler again on drug-related charges.
In October, police responded to the Brush Arbor apartments after Joey Siler was seen running across the neighborhood, allegedly chasing a woman with a butcher knife. He had reportedly cut his own wrist with the knife, and a trail of blood led K9 “Rico” to where he was hiding in the nearby woods. Police said that when they found Siler, he had a backpack full of methamphetamine in his possession.
Last Friday, when police were responding to a call about a possible burglary at the same apartment complex, Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said, “When we entered the area, a male subject saw us; he looked at us and ran into a residence like he was trying to hide.” Jackson continued, “We took care of the burglary complaint, and as we were leaving, we stopped in front of the residence… a female subject came outside and told us about a pretty bad domestic dispute like she wanted us to investigate it.”
According to Jackson, police approached the residence and received consent to search from the occupant. At that time, they apparently found Joey Siler hiding in the bathroom.
“I thought: this is the same couple, where the guy had the butcher knife chasing the girl... it’s the same people,” Jackson said.
He said that within plain view were several items of alleged drug paraphernalia, and a further search of the apartment led to the discovery of even more paraphernalia. Jackson said needles and syringes, a smoking pipe, and a spoon with burn marks were taken as evidence. The spoon, he noted, had a blue powdery substance in it which Joey Siler allegedly admitted was oxycodone, which he and others intended to “shoot up.”
Chief Wayne Bird said several years ago, Joey Siler was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine. According to court records, he was released on a surety bond following the butcher knife incident in October to a family member, Angela Siler, who, reportedly, was also convicted for manufacturing methamphetamine several years ago.
“I’m scratching my head wondering why he’s out walking the streets again,” Jackson said.
Friday morning, police charged 41-year-old Joey Siler with first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, and his apparent girlfriend, 21-year-old Tara Sasser, was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and first-degree disorderly conduct.
Tiffany Siler, 24, and Matthew A. Couch, 21, were charged at the scene with public intoxication. Three days later, Couch was arrested again for public intoxication. According to his arrest citation, Officer Brandon White found a “blue plastic tube with a white powder residue inside it,” and Couch allegedly admitted to police that it was Lorcet.
As of press deadline Tuesday, Joey Siler and Sasser were still lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center, and Couch and Tiffany Siler had made bond.
