NCSO News

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“Nolan County Meth Meltdown”

On Tuesday, April 16th, 2019, several Nolan County, District and State law enforcement officers continued arrests on seventeen more co-defendants connected to an ongoing criminal conspiracy drug investigation that has already netted 13 arrests on January 22^nd of this year and November 2^nd of 2018.  The warrants and arrests were the result of a joint operation involving Nolan County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Division, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division (Abilene) and investigators with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division (San Angelo) also assisted with the arrests today by serving two of the arrest warrants on subjects located in San Angelo.

These latest arrests were co-defendants that have participated in “Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity”, a first-degree felony, involving the manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, in particular methamphetamine and heroin.

Of the 17 new arrest warrants issued, as of 5:00PM today, 14 have been arrested.  10 were arrested in Sweetwater, 1 in Roscoe, 2 in San Angelo and a hold was initiated on 1 subject already serving time in prison. One other individual was also arrested on an unrelated misdemeanor warrant at one of the Sweetwater locations.  Law enforcement officers continue their search for three (3) remaining subjects with the warrants for the same charge.

Those arrested are as follows:

• Chance Brooke BENSON, age 28, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in San Angelo. Benson is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Jason Lee COSBY, age 39, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Cosby is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Arnulfo DELGADO, age 32, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Delgado is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Adam Martin GARZA, age 32, white male, hold placed on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 as Garza is already serving prison time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Garza is charged now with the additional charge of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Christopher Joseph HAMM, age 29, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Hamm is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Jody Shane JONES, age 47, white female, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Jones is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Moses Jacob LARA, age 42, white female, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Lara is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Michael Alan LEDBETTER, age 49, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Ledbetter is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Douglas James MONDAY, age 45, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Monday is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Michael David MORGAN, age 51, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Morgan is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.  Morgan was also found in possession of heroin in a “drug free zone”, at the time of his arrest on the warrant, and was charged with an additional third-degree felony.

• Francisco Javier PENA, age 29, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Roscoe. Pena is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Tyler Scott POLK, age 29, white male, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in San Angelo.  Polk is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Monica RODRIGUEZ, age 28, white female, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Rodriguez is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Helena Jade TOLLISON, age 29, white female, arrested on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Sweetwater. Tollison is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

Those charged with 1^st Degree Felony offenses could potentially face a penalty of 5 – 99 years in prison or life – and up to a $10,000.00 fine.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sheriff David Warren stated, “We are proud to see this investigation continue to produce results.  Some folks that needed to go to jail – went to jail today.  Others are soon to go to trial; some are on bond pending trial and many others are in custody pending trial and additional arrests are expected.”

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On Tuesday, January 22^nd, 2019 several Nolan County, District and State law enforcement officers continued arrests on seven more suspected Sweetwater area drug dealers.  The warrants and arrests were the result of a joint operation involving Nolan County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Division, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division (Abilene) and investigators with the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The latest arrests were defendants that have participated in Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, in particular methamphetamine and heroin.

“Investigators have seized over 1,000 grams of methamphetamine and 12 grams of heroin so far valued with an estimated street value of at least $62,000.” said Warren.

According to Warren, “Other arrests have been made, as a part of this ongoing operation, beginning in late September of last year.  A total of thirteen (13) people have now been arrested in this series.”

Those arrested are as follows:

• Zachary Dewayne MCDONALD, age 32, white male, arrested on September 19, 2018 at 100 Northwest Georgia in Sweetwater.  McDonald is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Sergio SALINAS, age 26, white male, arrested on November 29, 2018 at the 255-mile post on Interstate 20 in Sweetwater.  Salinas is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Jose Alberto SALINAS, age 20, white male, arrested on November 29, 2018 at the 255-mile post on Interstate 20 in Sweetwater.  Salinas is charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) – Penalty Group 1, over 200 grams, less than 400 grams, 1st Degree Felony.

• Matthew Lee MCQUEEN II, age 27, white male, arrested on January 8, 2019 at 307 East Arkansas Avenue in Sweetwater.  McQueen is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Sierra Cheyann JONES, age 24, white female, arrested on January 10, 2019 at 307 East Arkansas Avenue in Sweetwater.  Jones is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Mark Randall MURRY, age 55, white male, arrested on January 10, 2019 at 701 Southwest Georgia in Sweetwater.  Murry is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.
  
  Outstanding warrants that were served on Tuesday, January 22, 2019

• Curtis Mathis MAHULA III, age 43, white male, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 710 West Oklahoma in Sweetwater.  Mahula is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Katie Louise MCQUEEN, age 29, white female, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 1505 Robert Lee Street in Sweetwater.  McQueen is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Lizette Ann ACOSTA, age 33, white female, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 711 West 6^th Street in Sweetwater.  Acosta is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• Shawn Lucas GARZA, age 27, white male, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 900 Lubbock Street in Sweetwater.  Garza is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

• James Allen PARKER, age 48, white male, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 100 Bradford Lane in Sweetwater.  Parker is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony.

Also arrested during the roundup on Tuesday were:

• Dusty Dakota SUTTON, age 22, white male, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 605 West Arkansas in Sweetwater.  Sutton is charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) – Penalty Group 1, over 1 gram, less than 4 grams, 2nd Degree Felony.

• Benito DELACRUZ III, age 17, white male, arrested on January 22, 2019 at 605 West Arkansas in Sweetwater.  Delacruz is charged with Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) – Penalty Group 1, less than 1 gram, State Jail Felony.

Those charged with 1^st Degree Felony offenses could potentially face a penalty of 5 – 99 years in prison or life – and up to a $10,000.00 fine.

Additional arrests are forthcoming.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sheriff Warren emphasized, “I once again appreciate the help from local citizens that supplied a portion of the information on these drug dealers, but certainly the close working relationship between our office and the Texas Department of Public Safety – CID Abilene Division, along with the local 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, is proving to be a very effective combination in the battle against this type of criminal activity in our community.”

Sheriff David Warren

On Friday, November 2^nd, 2018 several Nolan County, District and State law enforcement officers effected arrests on six Sweetwater area drug dealers.  The warrants and arrests were the result of a joint operation involving Nolan County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division (Abilene) and investigators with the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The execution of the actual raid was a combined effort involving approximately eight officers from the agencies represented above.  The investigation was first initiated by Sgt. James Villanueva with the Sheriff’s Office.  “I am proud of my staff for working so hard on this growing problem. Additionally, the level of cooperation and assistance we have received from Texas DPS and the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office has been phenomenal. This is just one of a series of operations like this that have occurred in the past and will continue to take place in the future.” said Nolan County Sheriff David Warren.

A very significant amount of suspected methamphetamine was seized at one of the addresses along with a firearm.  “This was a prolific methamphetamine dealing operation here in Nolan County and part of an ongoing investigation.” said Warren.

According to Warren, “Approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine, valued at just over $50,000.00 was seized at an address located in the 300 blk. of W. Louisiana Street in Sweetwater during one of the arrests.”

Those arrested on Friday were:

1. Christian Joe BARRERA, age 23, white male, arrested at 305 W. Louisiana St., Sweetwater. Barrera is charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) – Penalty Group 1, over 400 grams, 1^st Degree Felony – and – Interference with Public Duties (of a peace officer) – Class B Misdemeanor.
2. Yolanda Gail PIMPTON, age 48, black female, arrested at 1113 Alamo Street in Sweetwater. Pimpton is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1^st Degree Felony.
3. Shawntia Elain FLOYD, age 33, black female, of Sweetwater. Floyd self-surrendered at the Nolan County Jail realizing that officers were searching for her.Floyd is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1^st Degree Felony.
4. Earthie Kaylyn WALKER, age 52, black female, arrested at 106 F.K. Williams Drive in Sweetwater. Walker is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1^st Degree Felony.
5. Antonio Campos GUERRA, age 57, white male, arrested at 305 W. Louisiana Street in Sweetwater. Guerra is charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) – Penalty Group 1, over 400 grams, 1^st Degree Felony, Unlawful Possession of Firearm (by a felon) 3^rd Degree Felony – and – a Motion to Revoke Probation out of Jones County for an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
6. Noah Job COPPLER, age 34, white male, arrested at 6412 E. Interstate 20 in Sweetwater. Coppler is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 1 (methamphetamine) Less Than One Gram, a State Jail Felony.

Those charged with 1^st Degree Felony offenses could potentially face a penalty of 5 – 99 years in prison or life – and up to a $10,000.00 fine.

At the time of this news release, bonds have not been set on the six individuals.  They will all likely be taken before a Magistrate on Saturday morning.

Sheriff Warren emphasized, “I truly appreciate the help from local citizens that supplied some of the information on these drug dealers.  This is a great example of how it is supposed to work; citizens and area law enforcement agencies working closely together make our community a safer place to live.”

Sheriff David Warren

 

Massive amounts of rainfall have altered traffic schedules in certain areas with creeks and lakes overflowing and water washing out certain roads in the area. Nolan County deputies have been monitoring creeks, lakes, and roadways and have found several roads with water over the roadway.

The following is a list of emergency road closures in Nolan County.

• County Road 144, 145, and County Road 147, in Sweetwater (Lake Trammell)
• County Road 180 and County Road 181, in Maryneal
• County Road 238 in Maryneal near Eagle Creek
• Farm to Market Road 1170, in Blackwell at Eagle Creek

Please do not move or drive around any barricades. If you see water over the roadway, use alternate routes. If you know of roadways that have water over them with no barriers closing off the roadway, please notify the Sheriff’s Office immediately (325) 235-5471. Do not attempt to cross a roadway that has high water over it. STAY SAFE AND TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!

Labor Day Weekend – the last holiday of the summer, so that means a lot of people will be traveling and attending celebrations or sports events where alcohol may be present. Remember, having a few drinks, and getting behind the steering wheel can make for dangerous, even deadly conditions on the road. “Save a Life, Don’t Drink and Drive!”

During this holiday weekend, Deputies will be out in force looking for impaired motorists, speeding, seat-belt and other traffic violations county-wide. The office is asking for public support to keep our roads safe, and encourages you to contact the office, or dial 9-1-1 if you see anyone driving impaired.

Some of the signs could be an erratic driving pattern, weaving back-and-forth in between lanes, or over into other lanes, not stopping completely at stop signs or red lights, or rolling red lights on right hand turns. If you think you have someone driving in front of, or beside you that is possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please dial 9-1-1. That’s the only way that we’re going to get out there in a quick manner to make an arrest if necessary.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2018, a Nolan County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a red sedan for defective equipment in the 100 block of Lewis Front, in Sweetwater. Contact was then made with the driver, Dusty Dekota Sutton, of Sweetwater.

During a roadside investigation the deputy detected indicators of criminal activity which subsequently led to the discovery of a substantial amount of suspected methamphetamine.

Sutton was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance. This case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.