NCSO News

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.