Warrick County – Thursday evening, April 12, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and Indiana State Police received information that Joseph Daniel Stewart, 33, of Boonville, was hiding out at Scott Houchin’s residence near Tennyson.  Felony arrest warrants had been issued out of Warrick County for Stewart back in February for various felony drug offenses.  Stewart has been avoiding arrest by hiding out in various locations throughout the area. At approximately 6:30 p.m. last night, officers from the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Indiana State Police, Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, Boonville Police, and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to Houchin’s residence located at 6811 Phillips Road. After arriving, officers discover Stewart and his girlfriend, Terri Hayden, 35, of Boonville, had fled into a nearby wooded area minutes prior to their arrival.  While inside Houchin’s residence, officers discovered nearly 30 firearms.  Houchin is a convicted felon and is prohibited by law from possessing them. Houchin’s girlfriend, Sherry Garrett, 41, was also present. Garrett and Houchin were arrested and all weapons were seized. Officers immediately set up a perimeter and started searching the area. Approximately five hours later, Senior Trooper Kevin Brown and his K-9, Rydr, located Stewart and Hayden bedded down in thick woods approximately 1/4 mile from the residence. They were both arrested without further incident. Hayden and Garrett were arrested for Assisting a Criminal, Class D Felony. Houchin was arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Class B Felony and for Assisting a Criminal, Class D Felony. All suspects are currently being held in the Warrick County Jail.

Arrested on Outstanding Warrants:
Joseph Daniel Stewart, 33, Boonville, IN 
1. Manufacturing Meth in Possession of a Firearm, Class A Felony
2. Possession of Anhydrous Ammonia with a Firearm, Class A Felony
3. Possession of Drug Precursors, Class D Felony
4. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony
5. Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction, Class D Felony
6. Habitual Offender, Class D Felony
7. Theft, Class D Felony
8. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.