Deputies: Blackford man says he doesn't sell meth - he gives it away

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. – A Hartford City man tried to persuade Blackford County authorities he doesn’t sell meth – he gives it away.

Christopher M. Love Jr., 26, of the 500 block of West Kentucky Avenue, was arrested last week after sheriff’s deputies received a warrant to search his home.

In an affidavit, Chief Deputy James Heflin reported numerous sources had told investigators Love was a meth dealer.

Authorities reported finding nearly 20 grams of meth – almost 16 grams of it in a single bag – in the house, along with marijuana, a prescription pain-killer and drug paraphernalia, including numerous plastic bags and a set of scales.

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Love’s girlfriend, 37-year-old Tina Hurst, was also taken into custody, and according to the document, confirmed Love had sold meth at their home.

Hurst said Love moved in with her in late October, Heflin wrote, and reported she routinely snorts meth, while Love smokes it.

Love, meanwhile, maintained there “no dealing done in the house (because) he just gave (meth) away to people,” the document said.

Love said “when people get stuff from him, he just gives it to them and he gets nothing out of it, other than getting to hang out with a few friends,” Heflin wrote.

Asked about text messages that appeared to refer to prices for meth, the Hartford City man maintained they were jokes.

“Everybody knows I get high 24/7,” Love reportedly said.

The Hartford City man is charged in Blackford Circuit Court with dealing in meth, possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. The dealing charged is a Level 2 felony carrying up to 30 years in prison.

Love has been convicted of batterry resulting in bodily injury, burglary, disorderly conduct and railroad trespass.

Hurst is charged in Blackford Superior Court with possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.