Multiagency Operation Ice Storm results in 36 felony drug arrests

Winter came early for 36 alleged drug traffickers in Garland County this week as the result of a multiagency law enforcement sting dubbed Operation Ice Storm that reportedly took up to $1 million worth of drugs off the streets.

Representatives of many of the agencies involved were joined by city officials for a news conference Friday to announce the arrests, the result of the combined efforts of local, state and federal officers under the direction of Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence, who serves as project manager for the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force.

DTF agents, Arkansas State Police and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations "undertook a long-range investigation focusing on identifying individuals currently trafficking narcotics within Garland County," Lawrence said during the news conference, held Friday morning at the Garland County Office of Emergency Management.

On Wednesday, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Public Safety, James D. Anderson was arrested in Texas transporting 28 pounds of meth to Garland County for distribution, Lawrence said. That same day, DTF agents, state police and the Hot Springs police Special Investigations Division arrested Joshua Zachariah Henderson, 40, and Tiffany Jade Watson, 30, both of Hot Springs, on numerous weapons and narcotic related charges.

Lawrence said Anderson and Henderson "were members of the same narcotics distribution network here in Garland County." On Thursday, DTF agents, Garland County sheriff's investigators, Hot Springs police, state police and Homeland Security agents "combined their efforts and resources to arrest multiple individuals for various narcotics offenses related to this same investigation," she said, noting a total of 35 face state or federal charges.

One additional suspect, Joshua Lee Campbell, 39, of Royal, was arrested shortly after the news conference, Deputy Prosecutor Trent Daniels said, bringing the total to 36. Lawrence released the names of eight more suspects being sought on active state warrants and one sought on a federal warrant.

Lawrence said agents seized more than 30 pounds of meth, two ounces of powder cocaine, 31 ecstasy pills, 141 "controlled pharmaceuticals" and 17 firearms, which she noted were taken from previously convicted felons prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

She said a temporary restraining order was executed at one location, 510 Stover St., and one suspect, Timothy Dewain Jeffcoat, 48, was evicted and arrested and the residence boarded up by the city.

Lawrence noted the police S.W.A.T. team and the Garland County Tactical Response Team were utilized to assist in the arrests and sheriff's deputies assisted in the transport of the suspects and "the hours of processing necessary" to book them into the detention center.

"An operation of this scale is not possible without many people behind the scenes working together so we can stand here today," Hot Springs Police Chief Jason Stachey said. "Operation Ice Storm is yet another example of how law enforcement agencies in our area are continuing to wage the war on drugs and crime. We know there is a nexus between illicit drugs and crime in our community and in order to reduce crime we must continue to engage in operations like this to increase the quality of life and security for all citizens."

Stachey said the amount of drugs and firearms "removed from our community" would have "a direct impact" on the safety and well-being of residents. "For those individuals who continue to sell drugs and corrupt our peaceful way of life, I want you to personally know that we will not tolerate it any longer."

Noting the operation was the fourth "large scale arrest event" since he took office, City Manager David Frasher said, "I think we're really making a difference in Hot Springs. But at the first one of these about a year ago, I mentioned we would be back and would continue this and I think the focus of law enforcement services in our region has probably never been more intense."

He noted there was "a core group of about six or seven law enforcement officers" involved in the intelligence gathering and investigations involved in the operation over several weeks. "The estimated street value of the narcotics seized range from $500,000 to $1 million so per person these guys are really productive," he said.

"We are truly blessed to have multiple agencies that make up our criminal justice system who work so well together," Under Sheriff Jason Lawrence said. "Not only during this operation, but on a day-to-day basis as well." He said the operation "dealt a serious blow" to the distribution of narcotics in the community.

Mayor Pat McCabe commended Michelle Lawrence for "her assistance in coordinating and directing these activities" and noted, "We look forward to future activities of this type as the days go forward."

Among those arrested were: Shavonne Denae Byrd, 30, of Arkadelphia; Berranda Joy Walker, 42, of Mountain Pine; Phillip Charles Hefner, 40, of Amity; and Juan Luis Lopez, 31, David Cruz, 19, Marquise Shanto Moutry, 26, Hunter Edward Mize, 21, Joseph Kendrell Thomas, 32, Reggie Levall Horton, 28, Brannon Beau Nixon, 38, Katlin Victoria Coleman, 21, Casey Sheets, 38, Whitney Renee Bullock, 31, Jason Christopher Thresher, 47, Paul Ambrosia Scaife, 37, Brad Allen Widener, 43, Phillip Edward Starley, 74, Andrea Marie Burciaga, 35, Keith Donell Lawson, 37, Jessie Robert Evans, 34, David Brian Mazzella, 44, Dory Ann Power-McCraw, 46, and Kristen Leshane Mahan, 35, all of Hot Springs.

Local on 09/30/2017

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