Man Arrested After Ginseng, Guns, Drugs, Turtles Found

Last updated on Monday, September 5, 2016

(NORTH VERNON) - A North Vernon man is facing a long list of preliminary charges after a week-long investigation into illegally harvested ginseng.

Conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources say that 57-year-old Brian T. Barrett was arrested on initial charges of buying illegally-possessed Ginseng out of season and being a non-licensed Ginseng buyer.

But a search warrant served at his home allegedly revealed evidence of other crimes ranging from dealing methamphetamine and possessing stolen handguns, to possessing eagle feathers and eastern box turtles.

The commander of the conservation district, Lt. Bill Beville, says drug use and illegal ginseng possession frequently go together.

Barrett is facing preliminary charges including:

Dealing in Ginseng without a License
Illegal Possession of Ginseng
Dealing in Marijuana
Dealing in Methamphetamines
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Methamphetamines
Maintaining a Common Nuisance
Possession of Stolen Firearms
Possession of Eagle Feathers
Possession of Owl Feathers
Possession of Eastern Box Turtles.

Conservation officers say that American Wild Ginseng can only be harvested between Sept. 1st and Dec. 31st of each year, because the plant's berries are immature until around September and will be unable to repopulate if harvested prematurely.

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