County Magistrate arrested on drug charges, bites police officer

Greenaway to arresting officers: “I have been set up”

Greenaway

On Monday, Hamilton County Superior Court 2 Magistrate William Greenaway was charged with three Level 6 felonies. According to court documents, Greenaway was the focus of a four-month narcotics investigation conducted by officers from the Indiana State Police.

A probable cause affidavit states the following:

On Nov. 4, 2018, two Indiana State Police investigators and a Noblesville police officer met with a confidential informant who provided information concerning a Hamilton County magistrate using methamphetamine.

The informant identified William Greenaway as the magistrate, and that Greenaway was dating a female who had previously purchased methamphetamine from the informant. The informant also told investigators William Greenaway used methamphetamine with his (Greenaway’s) girlfriend and was observed using methamphetamine by the informant.

In February, another informant, told detectives she had a personal relationship with Greenaway and had observed him use meth on several occasions. The same informant also told police she had purchased and orchestrated meth transactions on behalf of Greenaway in the past, and that Greenaway used a code word, “Coffee,” when discussing meth.

Then on March 20, with the help of the second informant, police conducted a money transaction from Greenaway for the anticipated purchase of meth.

Court documents indicate Greenaway gave the informant $140 in exchange for 2.5 grams of meth that would be delivered later in the day.

The informant then met with Greenaway in the parking lot of the Noblesville Goodwill Store to deliver the methamphetamine.

Police officers conducting a surveillance then attempted to arrest Greenaway. Reports indicate Greenaway allegedly swallowed the meth and bit a State Police officer’s thumb during the arrest. Because Greenaway swallowed the drugs, he was transported to the hospital where he told police officers he was “set up.”

Greenaway explained to officers that the female (informant) told him to hold something as the police were running up to his vehicle. Greenaway told officers he panicked and swallowed it, describing a white crystal substance in a small plastic baggie.

During a search of Greenaway’s jacket police found court documents that pertained to the arrest of another individual that reportedly was a previous source of meth for Greenaway. Police did not indicate if that individual had been charged in Superior Court 2, the court Greenaway serves as magistrate.

Greenaway was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Law Enforcement and Obstruction of Justice. Hamilton County Jail records do not indicate Greenaway has been booked in. Court records do not indicate if a bond was set or the amount.

 


 

McCann

 

 

McCann chosen to serve as Special Prosecutor

On Monday, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office requested Superior Court 5 Judge David Najjar assign a Special Prosecutor to the William Greenway narcotics case.

Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann was selected as the Special Prosecutor.

McCann has served as Howard County’s Prosecutor since 2010 and prior to that he served as the county’s chief deputy prosecutor for 16 years.

 


 

Lett

Tipton County Judge issues order on Greenaway’s incarceration

On Tuesday, following an order issued by Hamilton County Superior Court 5 Judge David Najjar to recuse himself from the William Greenaway case, Tipton County Judge Thomas Lett issued an order to law enforcement officers to transport William Greenaway to the Hamilton County Jail upon Greenaway’s release from Community Hospital.

In addition, Lett’s order requires Greenaway’s release from jail to be subject to the following conditions:

  1. Greenaway shall appear in Court at all times required by the Court;
  2. Greenaway shall not leave the State of Indiana without the prior written consent of the Court;
  3. Greenaway shall not commit nor be arrested for another criminal offense;
  4. Greenaway shall keep his attorney and the Court advised in writing of any change of address within 24 hours of such change; and
  5. Greenaway shall comply with any other condition ordered by the Court, including the Defendant shall comply with the mandates of any treatment, including that directed by mental health professionals affiliated with Community North Hospital.

5 Comments on "County Magistrate arrested on drug charges, bites police officer"

  1. Sad story, but very impressive journalism.

  2. Jason D Hill | March 28, 2019 at 6:45 am |

    Greenaway stood out as a man who had not completely abandoned compassion once he donned the robes. Rats are destroyers of lives, and this rat will receive the balance of fate for contributing to the fall of a decent man.

  3. Greenway ruled on my case many years ago when I took my kids dad to court for non payment of support and other expenses. He was very not fair and was an awful person towards me and the kids. My attorney was also Rodney Sarkovics. I am very disappointed to hear Sarkovics is representing Greenaway. Oh well, I bet Greenaway is hoping for a fair trial and compassionate judicial system compared to what he was sitting behind that desk and not helping me it my kids at all. I will be anxiously following his trial. Perhaps he will reflect upon how fair he was and his ability to remove personal biases in his ruling I pray the courts get every drug dealer and user off the streets so our future generations are safer. In the meantime I hope he is treated like any other person being charged and not a buddy from work. If charged I will be interested in knowing if there have been substance abuse issues in the past years too. All in all this is very sad. He was a highly educated man and had a position of power to do good.

  4. Ruined my life, hope he was not under the influence!

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