Deputies Make Drug Arrests
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
TILLATOBA – A Charleston man faces drug trafficking charges after deputies discovered ecstasy and marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop in Tillatoba on March 8. Yalobusha County Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch reported Yarael Jackson was charged with trafficking a controlled substance after 62 dosage units of alleged ecstasy were found inside the center console of the vehicle.
“Both marijuana and ecstasy were inside the center console, sitting on top of a Bible,” Sheriff Gooch told the Herald.
Jackson was stopped on Hwy 330 near the post office at 1 a.m. after allegedly running a stop sign. The deputy detected the odor of marijuana as he approached the vehicle.
“The subject told the deputy he would give the deputy the marijuana, but did not want his vehicle searched,” Gooch said. “We had probable cause to search the vehicle and found the pills and four bags of marijuana.”
Deputies also found a scale used to weigh narcotics, small baggies and $792 in cash inside the vehicle.
Jackson was booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center (YCDC) and remains in custody. The sheriff reported he was already on probation following a conviction for possession of a weapon by a felon.
“He also has other drug charge convictions and the Mississippi Department of Corrections has placed a hold on him,” Gooch added.
Two more felony drug arrests were made on March 6 after a vehicle ran out of gas on the Gums Crossing Bridge around 4 a.m. A deputy responded after a caller reported the vehicle was blocking traffic and did not have lights on or emergency flashers.
Sheriff Gooch reported Robert Murray and Letitia Moore were both charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“There was a small baggie containing a crystallized substance that was visible on the floorboard when Murray exited the vehicle,” Gooch said.
Moore, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had a gram of alleged methamphetamine in her possession along with a syringe.
Both subjects were booked in YCDC. Murray has since bonded and Moore remained in custody.
“She also had an arrest warrant from Chickasaw County,” Chief Deputy West noted.
Other arrests reported by the sheriff are:
• Early Jones of Oakland was arrested for resisting arrest and detained for an outstanding warrant from Grenada County on March 7. Chief Deputy Thomas West responded to 189 Hackberry Street in Oakland after a report of a disturbance as the residence. West was also alerted that Jones had an arrest warrant.
Jones and a friend were playing chess when West arrived and initially provided false information about his identity. Jones also denied that he had been involved in a disturbance with his girlfriend. The chief deputy reported that Jones then acted like he needed to use the bathroom and bolted out the back door. A short pursuit ended after Jones was tasered in the buttocks.
“He asked the deputy on the trip to the jail, ‘How can I be causing a disturbance when I was playing chess? That is the quietest game you can play,’’ West added.
Jones was processed at YCDC and then transferred to the Grenada County jail.
• Derrick Edwards of Oakland was arrested during a traffic stop on County Road 10 near Tillatoba on March 7. Edwards was charged with DUI- 1st and careless driving.
• Francis Higdon of Water Valley was arrested on March 8 in Panola County. A bench warrant had been issued by Yalobusha County Circuit Court for Higdon.
• Shona Holland of the Boat Landing community was arrested on March 7 for a warrant out of Lafayette County. The arrest came after deputies received a call that a male was dragging a female into the woods near the interstate.
Deputies responded and learned there was no foul play, and a male had helped Holland up an embankment by the interstate as they were walking to Hwy. 51. Deputies offered a courtesy ride, but neither subject would submit to a search that is required before a courtesy ride.
“While they were walking away, we ran the names and learned Holland had an outstanding warrant,” West said.
A bag allegedly in Holland’s possession was also placed in the squad car and Holland was transferred to the Lafayette County jail.
“There was a small amount of alleged cocaine inside the bag and Holland could face additional charges,” West said.
• Leon Freelon of Pittsboro was arrested for DUI 1st on March 7. Freelon was stopped on County Road 148 after a deputy observed that only one headlight was working.
• Bailey Jenkins of Oakland was arrested on March 3 at a residence on County Road 204 in Oakland for a warrant issued by the Coffeeville Police Department. Deputies had responded to the residence following a complaint of a disturbance.
• Tyler Sally of Grenada was arrested for possession of a controlled substance following a traffic stop on March 2. During the stop, deputies detected the odor of marijuana and launched an investigation.
“Deputies found approximately 80 grams of alleged marijuana inside the vehicle, which is a felony amount,” Gooch said.
Sally was a passenger in the vehicle and claimed the drugs. The sheriff stated that an AR-15 was laying on the passenger seat, and the driver also had a pistol. The marijuana was inside a bag, along with a scale and ammunition.
• Tommy Boyett of Panola County was arrested during a traffic stop at the intersection of County Road 36 and County Road 38 near Enid. Boyett was wanted by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
• Roderic Smith of Oakland was arrested on March 1 for possession of paraphernalia and resisting arrest. Sheriff Gooch reported deputies were dispatched to a resident located at 189 Hackberry Street in Oakland for a disturbance.
Smith had a box-cutter in his hand when deputies arrived and allegedly slashed the tires of a vehicle parked at the residence. There was a scuffle before Smith was restrained and placed in custody.
“After searching him, we discovered a crack pipe in his pocket,” Gooch added.
Additional charges for malicious mischief could be added if the vehicle owner presses charges for the damage to her vehicle.
• James Peacock of Water Valley was arrested on Feb. 28 for grand larceny. The sheriff reported the arrest was made in connection to the theft of copper reported stolen from a business in the W.C. Gardiner Industrial Park in Water Valley.
• Arthur Bain of Water Valley was arrested on Feb. 28 for abuse of calls to 911. Chief Deputy West reported the arrest came after Bain allegedly made numerous 911 calls requesting a ride home. Deputies spotted him walking on County Road 436 toward Water Valley.
“He wanted a ride home, we gave him a ride to the jail,” West added.
He also said alcohol was a factor in this incident.
• Zachary Beard of Water Valley was arrested for domestic violence on County Road 224 on Feb. 28.
