GREENFIELD — An undercover sting operation by police led to the arrest of a local man on multiple drug charges.
Raney Shay Jones, 29, of the first block of East Pierson Street, Greenfield, made an initial appearance Wednesday morning in Hancock County Superior Court 1. Judge Marie Castetter set a $10,000 cash bond. If convicted of the most serious charge, Jones faces more than a decade in prison.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers from the Greenfield Police Department conducted two drug purchases last fall. Jones agreed to meet with a source to sell methamphetamine in exchange for cash, the affidavit said. In both cases, the source obtained the drugs.
The case was the second one filed in a week involving undercover drug purchases by police. An Indianapolis man was charged last week after allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover informant for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Jones has been accused of a Level 3 felony count of dealing methamphetamine/delivery of methamphetamine in an amount of 5 to 10 grams; a Level 4 felony count of dealing methamphetamine/delivery of methamphetamine in the amount of 5 grams; a Level 5 felony count of possession of methamphetamine; and a Level 6 felony count of possession of methamphetamine.
The most serious charge, the Level 3 felony, carries a sentence of up to 16 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The remaining charges could carry a total sentence of more than 20 years.
During his initial hearing Wednesday morning, Jones told the court he could not afford a lawyer. The court appointed Bob Elsea as his attorney. Jones is due back in court for a pretrial conference in March.
According to court documents, a case against Jones was officially opened by the Hancock County Prosecutor’s office Thursday, Feb. 13 and a warrant was issued, Friday, Feb. 14. Jail records indicate Jones was officially booked into the county jail Monday, Feb. 17.
At press time, he was still listed as an inmate.
