Search warrant leads to arrests after meth, pills found at Carson City home

An 25-year-old Carson City man and an 18-year-old woman face multiple felony drug charges after authorities obtained a search warrant and found, among other things, large quantities of methamphetamine inside a Mountain Street home near an elementary school.

Todd Hornback and Elise Delane Hinsen were arrested Saturday on multiple felony drug charges including methamphetamine possession, sales, paraphernalia and prescription drugs for sale. A third man was arrested and faces misdemeanor paraphernalia charges. Hornback is in the Carson City Jail on $50,000 bail. Hinsen is also in jail on a $20,000 bail and two $500 cash-only bail amounts.

According to the arrest report, deputies assigned to the Special Enforcement Team received information from a citizen on Saturday about suspected drug activity going on in the 100 block of Mountain Street. The drug enforcement team was familiar with the home and alleged drug activities going on inside, according to the arrest report.

It was reported that a black Pontiac Grand Prix sedan had arrived at the home, followed by a man who entered the home on foot with a black backpack. The citizen reported a Toyota truck also arrived at the home and a man with a red backpack went inside the home leaving a female inside the truck.

Deputies parked a short distance away from the home. After an officer had parked a man came out of the home and got into the Toyota, which then left northbound on Mountain Street driving past the officer. Another officer followed the Toyota and made a traffic stop because it didn't have workable brake lights, according to the report.

The deputy received consent to search the vehicle and found a baggie of suspected methamphetamine. The driver of the Toyota told the deputy he had just purchased $30 worth of meth from Hornback inside the home. The driver completed a statement and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, according to the report.

Meanwhile, based on prior information on possible drug activity in the home, a search warrant was requested through Carson City Justice Court Judge Robey Willis. Also a search warrant request was made for the Pontiac. The judge authorized the search at 8:28 p.m. for any hour upon knocking and announcing.

The warrant was served at 8:47 p.m. when officers went to the front door which was open with a screen door closed. A deputy banged on the front door and yelled "Sheriff's Office search warrant" numerous times, according to the report.

Another officer standing by shouted to deputies that a subject was running to the back of the house. Deputies entered and began to search the house for the occupants. Hinsen came out of a bedroom and laid down on the floor, according to the arrest report. Deputies outside yelled that a male was attempting to climb out of the bathroom window.

The bathroom door was locked. An officer kicked open the door and found Hornback, who had pushed out the bathroom window screen, but was forced back inside when deputies were standing outside. Hornback was detained and placed into handcuffs, according to the arrest report.

A third person, who has been arrested before on various drug charges, was detained as he attempted to run through the kitchen to the back door.

Once the house was cleared, officers showed Hinsen the search warrant. During the search, numerous items of drug and paraphernalia were found. In Hinsen's bedroom, in plain view on the bed was a hypodermic needle that contained clear liquid methamphetamine ready for injection. Another needle was on the floor at the foot of the bed. On the dresser was a baggie that contained meth and a digital scale. Hinsen admitted to officers she injects meth and she had fresh needle marks on her arms, according to the arrest report.

On the bed was a pill bottle which contained a baggie that held a large quantity of meth which weighed 9.7 grams after tests were conducted. A tin of marijuana was also on the bed. Under the bed was another needle with a clear liquid inside, the report stated.

Officers continued the search. On the floor in the home was a black backpack, which contained a pink baggie with residue and a needle. The owner of the backpack admitted it was his, according to the report. The man faces misdemeanor charges of paraphernalia possession.

Inside the red backpack contained Hornback's identification, and a pouch with four needles and numerous empty baggies, which are common for packaging meth. Also inside the red backpack was a baggie with numerous prescription pills. There were 39 Hydrocodone pills found along with other medications that were in separate baggies that appeared to be packaged for sales, according to the arrest report.

Hornback did not have a prescription for the medication. He admitted to authorities that the drugs in the bedroom were his and admitted he had injected himself with meth a few hours earlier, the arrest report stated. During the search of the Pontiac, officers found more prescription pills, tin containers with crystal residue and other drug containers.

In a separate bathroom and bedroom area numerous medications and antibiotics were found with the prescription name removed. A marijuana pipe was found on a night stand and a bong was found in an upstairs loft. Empty methamphetamine baggies were found on a bench in the basement, the report stated.

The home, located in the 100 block of Mountain Street, is less than 1,000 feet from nearby Bordewich Bray Elementary School. Hinsen was arrested and faces charges of trafficking a controlled substance 4-14 grams, conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act for allowing drug sales in her home, maintaining a drug house near a school, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic needles, possession of marijuana and a confirmed Carson City Justice Court warrant for contempt.

Hornback was arrested and faces charges of trafficking a controlled substance 4-14 grams, sales of a controlled substance near a school, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act, possession of a controlled substance for sales — medication, possession of a controlled substance — medication; possession of a dangerous drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle.

— Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.