Investigation turns up $12,000 worth of cocaine; man arrested

A local man was arrested in his apartment for the possession and distribution of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics after a three-week undercover drug investigation.

The Bloomington Police Department served a warrant at 3:30 a.m. Monday at Southern Winds Inn at 3000 S. Walnut St. The suspect is 38-year-old Shawn McCullough.

“He is facing preliminary charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deal, a Class-A felony; possession of heroin with intent to deal, a Class-A felony; three counts of dealing heroin, Class-B felonies; maintaining a common nuisance, a Class-A misdemeanor; false reporting or informing, a Class-A misdemeanor; while wanted on warrant for possession of cocaine in Battle Creek, Michigan,” read the Bloomington Police report written by detective Brandon Lopossa.

“McCullough has resided in Bloomington for the past three weeks after travelling from Michigan,” Lt. David Drake of BPD said. During his three-week stay in Bloomington, undercover officers purchased heroin from McCullough on three separate occasions, according to the report.

The amount of heroin purchased on each of these occasions was less than three grams, so McCullough is facing three preliminary counts of Class-B felonies, instead of Class-A felonies for dealing heroin. However, the amount of cocaine and heroin found at his residence was more than the three gram limit.

The value of the cocaine is around $12,000, Drake said.

“McCullough has an extensive and violent criminal history from Michigan with prior arrests for attempted murder, assaults involving dangerous weapons and dealing drugs,” Drake said.

“This sort of thing takes time,” Drake said. “You can’t build a case on one drug buy. The Special Investigations Unit does a good job getting these people as they come to Bloomington and set up.”