The Independence County Sheriff’s Department has formed a Community Action Team, referred to as CAT.
Sheriff Shawn Stephens said the team consists of deputies who volunteer their time to help make the community a better place to live. The sheriff said the team will concentrate on problem areas in the county where complaints are being received.
Among the group’s activities will be: warrant round-ups, narcotic investigations, and sex offender compliance checks, according to Stephens.
Stephens said on March 22, CAT was activated to focus on problem areas where vehicles were being broken into and street signs stolen. He said during the operation, there were two people arrested on warrants and new misdemeanor charges of obstruction of governmental operations filed.
Then on Saturday, March 30, CAT was activated to focus on illicit drug activity and property thefts. During the operation, a 16-year-old juvenile was charged with breaking or entering and public intoxication, a 17-year-old juvenile was charged with breaking or entering, and another 17-year-old juvenile was charged with misdemeanor possession with the purpose to deliver a Schedule VI drug (usually marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine (less than two grams), and furnishing prohibited articles.
The sheriff said other arrests included:
- Cody Heddey, 29, who was charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication drugs, and two traffic violations;
- Tina Barrett, 25, who was charged with public intoxication — drugs;
- Randall Hopper, 38, who was arrested on a warrant and charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, and felony possession of methamphetamine, greater than two grams but less than 19 grams;
- January M. Davis, 21, who was charged with possession with the purpose to deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance (a Class D felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia;
- Curtis J. Smith, 23, who was charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (a Class D felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia;
- Krista R. Jefferies, 22, who was arrested on an absconder warrant, a misdemeanor warrant, felony possession of methamphetamine less than two grams, and felony possession of drug paraphernalia;
- and, a juvenile was arrested on a pick-up order
Chief Deputy Aaron Moody said it was a busy night — particularly in the first two hours of the Community Action Team’s volunteer work.
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