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Authorities take half-pound of crystal meth off streets in Stone County Wednesday

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A joint narcotic operation between the Stone County Sheriff’s Department and the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force landed several individuals in jail on Wednesday.

According to a release from Chief Deputy Dammon McGilton, authorities pulled over Rachel Solis (pictured below), 32, of Batesville, at Marcella, for her Nissan Maxima traveling outside the traffic lane and illegal window tint. The release said Solis also was on parole and had an active search waiver on file.

McGilton said in the release a search of the vehicle uncovered a Ziploc bag containing approximately 112.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine (one-quarter of a pound) in the Maxima.

Solis was arrested and taken to the Stone County Detention Center to be held on the charge of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (meth) over 10 grams but less than 200 grams.

Solis admitted to law enforcement officials she was delivering crystal meth to a residence in Stone County, the release stated.

A busted windshield on a Chevrolet pick-up truck prompted another Stone County traffic stop on Wednesday — this time in the Melrose area. 

McGilton’s release said officials recognized Kelby Shane Epperson (below), 26, of Newport, as being a supply source of meth from previous drug investigations around the 16th District. Consent to search was given by Epperson and approximately 136.8 grams (just over one-quarter of a pound) of crystal meth was found sitting in the vehicle, according to the chief deputy’s release.

Epperson was arrested and taken to the Stone County Detention Center. The release said Epperson admitted he has been dealing and distributing large amounts of crystal meth in Stone County.

He is being held on the count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (meth) over 10 grams but less than 200 grams.

Epperson was also out on federal release for trafficking crystal meth pending federal drug charges, according to McGilton.

A search warrant for a Luber Cutoff Road location also uncovered crystal meth, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and a car reportedly stolen out of Texas.

The release said three people were arrested at the location:

  • Braxton-Joe Johnstone (below, left), 21, of Mountain View, was arrested for possession of crystal meth less than two grams, maintaining a drug premises, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 
  • Emily L. Trammell (below, center), 31, of Stone County, was arrested on a felony charge for theft by receiving. According to the release, Trammell admitted to stealing the vehicle in Texas and may possibly have pending charges out of that state.
  • And Jim Wayne Dayberry (below, right), 35, of Mountain View, was arrested for parole absconding. He was also charged with being in possession of approximately 18 grams of crystal meth and being a habitual offender.

 

Dayberry was also facing a felony charge of fleeing out of Independence County. According to court information, Dayberry led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit Aug. 4 that resulted in an Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy crashing his patrol vehicle.

According to McGilton, the total amount of crystal meth taken off the street in Stone County Wednesday was approximately 260 grams or over a half-pound of the narcotic. The street value of the meth, if separated and sold by the gram, is valued at $26,800.

Authorities also seized firearms, two vehicles, and approximately $2,600 in cash of profits and proceeds from the sale of crystal meth. A 2009 BMW sedan was also recovered and is being returned to the owner in Fort Worth, Texas. The 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force and prosecuting attorney’s office are assisting in the confiscation procedure, the release noted.

“I’d like to say it was a good day in Stone County,” said McGilton. 

He noted he would like to thank the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force for their hard work and dedication to the community.

The felony A charges for Solis, Epperson, and Dayberry carry a sentence of 10-30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

All arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty.


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