Drug Investigation Leads To Three Locals’ Arrest

Drug Investigation Leads To Three Locals’ Arrest

By David Howell

Editor

SYLVA RENA – A four month drug investigation culminated last Tuesday night, Dec. 15, with three arrests after deputies executed a search warrant on County Road 277 in the Sylva Rena community.

Sheriff Lance Humphreys reported James Keel, Sabrina McCammon and Dale Johnson were arrested during the search. Investigators have made undercover narcotics purchases from both Keel and McCammon on Wood Street and Grafton Drive in Water Valley, according to the sheriff. Humphreys said agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics were heavily involved in the investigation from the start.

Keel, aka “Keelpache James” is charged with two counts of sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon by a felon, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Keel was paroled from MDOC custody earlier this year and Humphreys said his department started receiving tips about narcotics activity shortly afterwards. If convicted on the charges, Keel could face life in prison as a habitual offender.

McCammon was charged with two counts of sale of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. She has two prior convictions and also could be sentenced as a habitual if convicted.

Johnson was charged with possession of methamphetamine, child abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. Humphreys said the child abuse charges stem from using drugs around children in the home, which was where the search warrant was executed Tuesday night. All three are lifelong Water Valley residents.

Justice Court Judge Steve Riley set bonds during an initial appearance Thursday.  Bond was set at $150,000 for Keel, $75,000 for McCammon and $25,000 for Johnson. Both Keel and Johnson remain incarcerated at the Yalobusha County jail, while McCammon has posted bond.  Keel will not be allowed to post bond because of a hold placed on him by the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He will face a parole revocation hearing in the immediate future and will return to state custody.

Humphreys said he expects more arrests during the early months of 2016 as his deputies receive tips about drug activity across the county.

“We have a lot of cases we are working in the county,” Humphreys said, reiterating statements he made following a similar investigation last month when Ameer Burdun and Amber Burdun were arrested in Water Valley on drug charges.