Jerry Lee Howard, 70, and Ricardo Felix Bustos, 37, both of Hobart, were arrested after police executed a search warrant at a home in the 3800 block of Swift Street, according to court documents.

The Hobart Narcotics Unit executed the warrant at approximately 6:35 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation involving the residence.

Investigators announced their presence before forcing open the front door. Police then used a patrol vehicle’s public-address system and sirens to order the occupants outside.

Howard and Bustos exited the residence, complied with police commands and were taken into custody. No additional occupants were found inside the home.

Investigators reported immediately detecting a strong odor of garbage and human feces. According to the affidavit, the odor permeated the residence and made breathing difficult.

Police said the home appeared to lack running water and that its occupants appeared to be using buckets as toilets. Scattered garbage and old food allegedly covered the floors, making it nearly impossible to walk through the residence without stepping on debris.

Garbage also reportedly covered surfaces throughout the home. Investigators reported seeing mice and flies inside the residence.

In the living room where Howard had reportedly been sleeping, police allegedly found a glass pipe and “chore boy” material on a table. Investigators identified those items as materials used to smoke crack cocaine.

On top of a dining-room cabinet, police allegedly found five additional glass smoking pipes, a digital scale and a knotted plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance. Three more glass smoking pipes were reportedly found on top of a kitchen cabinet.

In a bedroom where Bustos had reportedly been sleeping, investigators allegedly found a plastic container containing an unidentified white powdery residue. Police also reported finding several burnt cigarillos and ripped, knotted plastic bags.

The bag containing the crystal-like substance tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 7.6 grams with its packaging, according to the affidavit.

The white powdery residue and burnt cigarillos reportedly tested negative for narcotics. Police photographed and disposed of the used smoking pipes and several other items. Investigators retained the suspected methamphetamine, digital scale and a ripped dollar bill as evidence.

During a recorded interview, Bustos allegedly told police he was Howard’s friend and was spending the night at the residence because he did not currently have anywhere else to stay.

Bustos reportedly said he had recently met Howard at a motel and admitted that they crossed paths because they both had a drug addiction.

Bustos told investigators that he and Howard later received a ride from another man to a Crown Point residence. Once there, Bustos alleged that the group smoked methamphetamine with the resident.

Bustos described the methamphetamine as “alright but nothing great,” according to the affidavit.

When asked whether anyone purchased methamphetamine at the residence, Bustos reportedly said Howard might have because Howard was the only person with money. Bustos said he was not certain whether a purchase occurred.

Bustos told investigators the group later towed Howard’s truck to a dealership before returning to Howard’s home. Other people were allegedly already at the residence when they arrived.

Bustos allegedly admitted that the group smoked crack cocaine and methamphetamine together inside Howard’s home. When asked who supplied the drugs, Bustos reportedly claimed everything was already at Howard’s house.

According to court documents, Bustos acknowledged participating in the drug use instead of contacting police. He denied owning any narcotics or paraphernalia found inside the residence.

During a separate recorded interview, Howard reportedly confirmed that he owned and lived at the Swift Street home.

Howard said he had been at the motel with Bustos and another man the previous night “having a few beers.” He denied using illegal narcotics at the motel.

Howard provided a different account of the group’s travels, reportedly saying they went to a Cedar Lake residence to retrieve his truck before towing it to a dealership for repairs.

Howard denied purchasing or using methamphetamine and denied knowing that illegal narcotics were being used or kept inside his home. According to the affidavit, Howard eventually said he did not want to incriminate himself by answering further questions.

Charges filed August 27, 2026:

Jerry Lee Howard-

Maintaining a Common Nuisance involving controlled substances, a Level 6 felony

Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 felony
Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor

Ricardo Felix Bustos-

Possession of Methamphetamine -Level 6 felony

Visiting a Common Nuisance involving controlled substances, a Class B misdemeanor

Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor