BEDFORD – Police say 38-year-old Stephen Fitzgerald failed to register as a sex offender on May 9, 2021. According to a probable cause affidavit, Fitzgerald was required to register at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on April 28, 2021.
Fitzgerald was called by a deputy on May 2 but he didn’t answer his phone and his voicemail was not set up.
On May 3rd, a deputy went to Plaza Motel which was where Fitzgerald was staying, but Fitzgerald had checked out.
On May 9th, a deputy again attempted to call Fitzgerald but he didn’t answer.
A warrant was then requested for his arrest.
October 29th, Mitchell Police officers were called to the 220 block of East Grissom Avenue after a report of a citizen dispute involving juveniles throwing rocks at a house resulting in damage.
The homeowners showed police the damage and said three juveniles ran from the scene and got into an older green car with a loud exhaust.
Officers spotted the vehicle traveling south on Meridian Road and stopped the driver at Meridian Road and Warren Street.
There were two juveniles in the backseat of the vehicle. The driver was Fitzgerald. He gave officers a false name.
Officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. While asking the passenger 26-year-old Tanaea Harkness to exit the vehicle the officer noticed a baggie of crystal meth in the center console.
Officers located a bag of marijuana above the sun visor. Police also found a baggie containing several different pills.
Harkness admitted the pills were hers. She was arrested on a charge of possession of a legend drug. Police then learned Fitzgerald’s true identity and he was arrested on the outstanding warrant and new charges of possession of meth, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of marijuana.
If you know something, say something. Send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov or call Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700. All calls are confidential.
