Patriot man gets max sentence for using meth near infant

(VEVAY, Ind.) – A Switzerland County man has received a maximum sentence after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine while near an infant. 

58-year-old Elbea Couch, of Patriot, has been sentenced to six years in prison by Switzerland County judge Gregory Coy. 

Couch was arrested following a 3-month police investigation in 2025 that led to multiple arrests in the Ohio Valley Land Development, an area in Switzerland County that has been associated with drug trafficking and drug use. 

Police were conducting surveillance at a property in October when they located multiple adults in a garage who were smoking methamphetamine in the close proximity of a baby, according to prosecutors. 

“During a search, police found methamphetamine in Couch’s pockets. Investigators then moved to arrest another individual on methamphetamine dealing charges a short distance away from the garage,” said Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall.  

Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Bland represented the State during the court hearing while deputy Alex Stanton testified about the investigation. 

Judge Coy issued the maximum sentence based on Couch’s criminal history as well as the treatment opportunities that had previously been offered. The judge also ordered Couch to receive drug treatment while in prison. 

Prosecutor Ryan Marshall described the sentence as both fair and necessary. 

“Exposing children to methamphetamine is heinous. I am grateful to our Sheriff’s Department and allied law enforcement for reacting swiftly that night. They saved a baby from a potential overdose and locked up the repeat offenders who created that risk,” Marshall said. 

He added, “I’m equally grateful our Judge handed down both the prison sentence—and the drug treatment—to prevent it from happening again. Switzerland County is safer for it.”