Kokomo — The executive director of a Kokomo retirement community was fired Wednesday after being accused by police of using and selling methamphetamine.
Susan Bookout, regional director of operations at Five Star Senior Living Region 8, which owns Jefferson Manor Retirement Community, said Craig R. Grimes was terminated immediately after being arrested by Kokomo police.
“Based on the information that we have gathered, we have terminated Mr. Grimes’ employment,” Bookout said in a press statement. “Because of state and federal privacy laws, we cannot provide any additional information about Mr. Grimes at this time.”
Grimes had served as executive director since August 2007.
Kokomo police arrested Grimes at 6:36 p.m. Monday on charges of conspiracy to deal methamphetamine, a Class A felony; possession of meth and possession of controlled substance, both D felonies; and a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.
Grimes remains jailed at the Howard County jail on a $100,000 bail, pending his arraignment Thursday in Howard Superior Court 1.
Formal drug charges were filed Wednesday against Grimes in Howard Superior Court 1.
If convicted, he could serve up to 50 years in prison on the A felony alone.
Bookout said the company is cooperating with the ongoing police investigation and is continuing to pursue an internal investigation.
Bookout, along with the divisional vice president of operations for Five Star, visited the community Tuesday and Wednesday and will continue to oversee operations at the Jefferson Manor until a replacement is hired, she said.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from the police department and are confident that the caring environment our employees and residents have experienced at the Jefferson Manor community will continue without interruption,” she continued.
“We care very much about the safety and well-being of our residents and employees, and will continue to work diligently to ensure that we take appropriate action in the future.”
Members of KPD’s drug task force initiated the investigation into Grimes after police received information regarding multiple out-of-state shipments of methamphetamine coming to Kokomo from Henderson, Nev., according to a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday in Howard Superior Court 1.
Police believe the meth shipments were being sent to Grimes at Jefferson Manor. The affidavit said Grimes has been receiving shipments of meth and prescription pills on a regular basis weekly. Grimes then sold the meth for $100 per gram to numerous people in Kokomo, police allege.
In addition, Grimes allegedly was seen last week in possession of a blue and black backpack containing a silver coin collection that was stolen either from a dying or a deceased resident of Jefferson Manor, the affidavit stated.
Search warrants were executed at Jefferson Manor, as well as Grimes’ residence and his vehicle. During the searches, officers allegedly found a baby food jar containing marijuana, a small plastic bag of meth and digital scales.
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
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