Three people arrested last week during the search for an absconder have now been charged in Independence County Circuit Court with several drug-related counts.
The court documents said authorities made the arrests at a Cee Jay Lane residence, outside Sulphur Rock in Independence County, on Jan. 2. On entering the residence, they found Alexis Archuleta (pictured above, left), 22, and Zachary Lee Anschultz (center), 34, hiding in a back bedroom. They were taken into custody while a search was done of the residence.
While authorities were on the scene during the search, a truck pulled up outside the residence, and the court docs say officers then confronted a very nervous driver with the smell of marijuana present about him.
After a search of the man’s work vehicle, authorities say in the court information that crystal meth, multiple needles, a set of digital scales, and a small baggie of marijuana were found.
The man, identified as Jesse L. Johnson (right), 36, of Newark, was arrested. Johnson told authorities he concealed his illegal drugs inside his work truck so his children would not find the items in their residence, the court documents said. The court information also noted that Johnson told officers he was a daily meth user.
During the search by law enforcement, meth, drug paraphernalia, and firearms were discovered and confiscated inside the residence, the court docs said. A truck, parked outside the residence, was identified as one that had been stolen in Jackson County.
Also found outside the residence and on the property were several vehicles that had been stripped down. The court information said all VIN (vehicle identification numbers) plates had been removed.
Alexis Archuleta has been charged with six drug-related felonies while Zachary Lee Anschultz has been charged with seven drug-related felonies. Each has been placed on a $50,000 bond.
Officials say Anschultz was already wanted for arrest by the parole board for absconding. On July 8, 2019, authorities were in pursuit of him, and he was able to elude deputies by fleeing into a wooded area.
Johnson has been charged with two drug felonies: possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia used to inject meth. He was placed on a $5,000 bond.
Images via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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