Deputies Make Felony Arrests During Busy Holiday Weekend

Deputies seized drugs, cash, paraphernalia and a pistol during a weekend arrest following a traffic stop on Hwy. 32 near Water Valley. Shown with the evidence are (from left) Narcotics Investigator Brent Anderson, K-9 deputy Taylor Byford, Sheriff Mark D. Fulco, deputy Chris Pullen and deputy Steve McClarty. Also pictured is K-9 Yoda, who alerted on the vehicle.

WATER VALLEY – Yalobusha County Sheriff Mark D. Fulco reported deputies made three felony drug arrests during a busy Labor Day weekend.
Joshua Kennedy and Jamie Tubbs were arrested on Sept. 4 during a traffic stop on Hwy. 32 near Water Valley. Both Kennedy and Tubbs were charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Fulco said that K-9 deputy Taylor Byford and Narcotics Investigator Brent Anderson made the stop. The department’s K-9, Yoda, alerted on the vehicle, which prompted the search. Over $1,900 in cash, drugs,  paraphernalia and a pistol were seized.
On Sept. 6, Steven Johnson of Coffeeville was arrested for no driver’s license, resisting arrest and possession of methamphetamine. Fulco and Byford made the traffic stop on Hwy. 7 in Coffeeville.
The sheriff noted the arrests came during a busy holiday weekend as deputies worked long hours answering a barrage of calls. He also explained the department was running shorthanded with one deputy out after testing positive for COVID-19 and another finishing up training at the law enforcement academy.
“I can’t say enough about our deputies, they work long hours and are committed to serving and protecting the public,” Fulco added.
Earlier drug arrests reported by the sheriff includes:
• Colin Kemp was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent on August 30. Deputies Steve McClarty and Chris Pullen made the arrest.
• Patrick Hampton of Moorhead was charged with possession of ecstasy, possession of oxycodone and possession of marijuana during a safety checkpoint in Oakland on July 24. Deputy Chris Jones made the arrest.
Bridgette McGee of Water Valley was arrested by Anderson for possession of methamphetamine during the same safety checkpoint in Oakland.
“They came through within minutes of each other,” Fulco said about the arrests of Hampton and McGee. “It was an effective checkpoint.”