Holly V. Hays

holly.hays@indystar.com

A 74-year-old Bloomington man was arrested after police say he gave churchgoers THC-laced cookies last May.

Brian Jones was arrested in connection to the investigation that began last year, when several congregation members at the St. John's the Apostle Catholic Church in Bloomington went to a local emergency room, reporting "adverse effects" after eating cookies brought by Jones after the 9:15 a.m. service, according to court documents.

Six congregation members told police they had eaten one of the cookies, with three reporting the cookies tasted "saltier" than normal. All six people tested positive for cannabinoids.

Their symptoms included nausea, sluggishness and lethargy.

During an interview with police, Jones said he had made the cookies Saturday night and took them to church with him that morning, but said he didn't know anything about an illegal substance being added to them.

After obtaining a search warrant for Jones' Bloomington residence, officers found an orange pill bottle containing capsules of a brown, oily substance, which later tested positive for marijuana.

Ellettsville police said Jones turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He faces preliminary charges of criminal recklessness and possession of hash oil.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.