ANGOLA, Ind. (WOWO) — A rural Angola man was arrested Wednesday morning following a nearly year-long drug investigation by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.
According to authorities, 45-year-old Lantz Bandford Brown was taken into custody just before 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2026, at a residence in the 1700 block of West CR 120 North in rural Pleasant Township. The arrest was made without incident.
Brown was wanted on an active Steuben County arrest warrant charging him with two counts of dealing methamphetamine, both Level 2 felonies. The warrant followed a controlled drug-buy investigation that spanned nearly a year.
The warrant was executed by the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Tactical (SRT) Team, with assistance from the Auburn Police Emergency Response Tactical (ERT) Team. During the arrest, investigators developed additional probable cause to seek a search warrant for the residence. Suspected methamphetamine was also allegedly found on Brown’s person.
During a subsequent search of the home, deputies located a firearm that appeared to have a damaged or obliterated serial number.
Brown was booked into the Steuben County Jail on multiple preliminary charges, including dealing and possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and obstruction of justice.
Brown remains in jail in lieu of a $118,000 bond. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
