Switz. Co. Man Sentenced for Possessing Meth in Presence of Small Baby

Approximately 18 individuals arrested over the course of the 3-month investigation.

Elbea Couch. Photo provided.

(Switzerland County, Ind.) - Switzerland County Circuit Judge W. Gregory Coy handed down the maximum sentence to a Patriot, Indiana man for possessing methamphetamine in the presence of a small baby.

Elbea S. Couch, 58, will now serve six years in Indiana prison.

Couch’s charges stem from a wide-ranging police effort, led by Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police. In October 2025, officers performed covert surveillance in the Ohio Valley Land Development, an area in Switzerland County known for drug crime.

Couch was sentenced in the Switzerland Circuit Court after a full hearing, in which Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Bland represented the State of Indiana. To support their request, prosecutors presented evidence from Switzerland County Sheriff Deputy Alex Stanton. Stanton detailed the investigation for Judge Coy.

Stanton testified that Couch’s arrest was part of a long-term investigation, focusing mainly in eastern Switzerland County in the Land Development and surrounding area. In August of 2025, officers from multiple departments in Switzerland, Ohio, and Dearborn County, Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Natural Resources began focusing on the area to disrupt drug trafficking throughout the multi-county area.

During covert surveillance, officers saw multiple adults in a small garage smoking methamphetamine in the close proximity of a baby.

Reacting immediately officers raided the garage and arrested multiple people, including Couch, and removed the child from danger. During a search, police found methamphetamine in Couch’s pockets. Investigators then moved to arrest another individual on methamphetamine dealing charges a short distance away from the garage.

Stanton testified that Couch was one of approximately 18 individuals arrested over the course of the 3-month investigation, with the vast majority of individuals being repeat offenders.

After hearing the testimony from both the State and Defense, Judge Coy wasted no time in issuing the maximum possible prison sentence. Judge Coy noted the Defendant’s long criminal history in multiple Indiana counites as well as the treatment opportunities offered to him by various courts. Judge Coy acknowledged Couch’s plea of guilt saved Switzerland County taxpayers the cost of a trial but that the severity of this offense required the sentence. The Judge also ordered Couch to receive drug treatment while in prison.

Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall commented on the ruling:

“Judge Coy’s sentence was both fair and necessary given the Defendant’s actions. Exposing children to methamphetamine is heinous. I am grateful to our Sheriff’s Department and allied law enforcement for reacting swiftly that night. They saved a baby from a potential overdose and locked up the repeat offenders who created that risk. I’m equally grateful our Judge handed down both the prison sentence—and the drug treatment—to prevent it from happening again. Switzerland County is safer for it.”