St. Joseph County authorities took dozens of firearms and a large amount of illegal drugs off the streets after serving a warrant.
Two kilos of suspected meth, suspected marijuana and 60 grams of suspected heroin, as well as multiple handguns and long guns were found at a home on Mayflower Road, as part of an investigation into Christoper Kinds.
Police also searched some storage units on Lincolnway West where they found nearly 30 firearms.
When Kinds was arrested, Thursday, police also found suspected pot, meth, cocaine, heroin, fentanul and a digistal scale.
According to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor, Kinds admitted to dealing metheand heroin as well as possessing the guns.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office released the following information:
St. Joseph County –On September 5, 2019, the St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit
executed a search warrant in the 50000 block of Mayflower Road as part of an investigation of Christopher L. Kinds. The warrant was executed with the assistance of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the St. Joseph County SWAT Team; and St. Joseph County Police Department uniform officers. During the execution of this search warrant, investigators seized over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine; marijuana; and 60 grams of heroin as well as multiple handguns, long guns, and United States currency.
As part of the operation, investigators arrested Christopher Kinds on September 5, 2019, in front of an apartment building in the 3500 block of Generations Drive. Investigators obtained search warrants for a backpack which had been in the vehicle Mr. Kinds was driving just prior to his arrest. The officers located quantities of marijuana and fentanyl, as well as a handgun under the driver’s seat.
Search warrants were also executed at a storage facility in the 22000 block of Lincolnway West, South Bend, as a part of this investigation. At this storage facility, investigators seized approximately twenty-nine additional firearms.
From the whole operation, investigators recovered:
• Approximately $17,600 dollars in United States currency
• Approximately 38 firearms
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• Fentanyl
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges against Christopher L. Kinds, 34, in an eight-count information:
Count I: Dealing in Methamphetamine a Level 2 Felony
Count II: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug a Level 2 Felony
Count III: Dealing in Cocaine a Level 5 Felony
Count IV: Possession of Marijuana a Class B Misdemeanor
Count V: Carrying a Handgun a Class A Misdemeanor without a License
Count VI: Carrying a Handgun a Level 5 Felony nwithout a License
Count VII: Firearm Sentencing Enhancement
Count VIII: Firearm Sentencing Enhancement
Probable Cause was found. Defendant was ordered held without bond until his initial bond hearing and remains in the St. Joseph County Jail. His initial bond hearing and arraignment are scheduled for September 9, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. (Traffic & Misdemeanor Courtroom, 1855 Courthouse, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend).
The sentencing range for a Level 2 Felony is ten to thirty years. The sentencing range for a Level 5 Felony is one to six years. The sentencing range for a Class A Misdemeanor is up to one year. The sentencing range for a Class B Misdemeanor is up to 180 days. A Firearm Sentencing Enhancement can add an additional five to twenty years to the conviction of the underlying offense.
