Falan M. Miller and Bradley M. Gates

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By Richard Gootee of the Courier and Press

Two people are being held on preliminary child neglect and drug-related charges stemming from their arrests on Thanksgiving after authorities allegedly found almost 1.5 pounds of synthetic marijuana inside a Vanderburgh County home.

Bradley M. Gates, 27, and Falan M. Miller, 26, were arrested after investigators went to a home in the 1900 block of Forest Park Court to try to serve a warrant against Gates about 7 p.m. Thursday, according to probable cause affidavits.

That warrant, issued Wednesday, was for dealing synthetic drugs and was requested by Gates' probation officer in a case stemming from a 2014 arrest, according to court records.

Gates was not there at the home Thursday, according to an affidavit, but a woman there allowed investigators inside the residence and reportedly showed deputies a room that she said was shared by Gates and Miller. Deputies identified that woman as Miller's mother.

Investigators spotted the suspected synthetic marijuana in a trash bag near a night stand in that bedroom, according to the affidavit. There was also a scale on top of a night stand.

Gates and Miller drove back to the residence in a sport-utility vehicle driven by Miller while investigators were still there, according to the affidavit. Two children were also inside the vehicle. A third child — an infant — was inside the home with Miller's mother when deputies arrived.

During a subsequent search of the SUV, deputies found a cigar that appeared to be stuffed with suspected marijuana. Gates denied knowledge of any drug activity. However, Miller reportedly told investigators that Gates uses synthetic drugs regularly and often brags about selling it.

There is no indication in the probable cause affidavit that Miller's mother, who reportedly denied knowing about the drugs in the bedroom, was arrested in connection with the case.

Gates was being held at the Vanderburgh County jail without bond, as directed by the recently issued warrant against him. He was also preliminarily charged with dealing a synthetic drug, maintaining a common nuisance and neglect of a dependent.

Miller is initially being held at the jail without bond as well, facing preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance and neglect of a dependent, according to records.