Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department narcotics detectives arrested a number of people in relation to drug offenses in separate cases. 

On Feb. 17, the detectives conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck traveling on Terry Lane in the Ozona community due to a seatbelt violation.

Sheriff David Allison said the detectives conducted the stop because the driver, Carl Stanton, 46, of 3811 16th Street, Gulfport, and the passenger, 38-year-old Jessie R. Burnett of 930 Clover Circle, were not wearing seatbelts.

When the detectives turned on the vehicles blue lights to conduct the stop, Stanton fled from the detectives in the vehicle. While in pursuit, the detectives noticed Stanton and Burnett allegedly throw a torch lighter, glass pipe and a bag containing methamphetamine from the vehicle before coming to a stop, Allison said.

Stanton and Burnett were taken into custody and the items thrown from the vehicle were recovered. Allison said that both men were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence while Stanton was additionally arrested for DUI first offence, Allison said.

After receiving several community complaints concerning alleged narcotics activity at a home, detectives obtained and served a search warrant at the home, located at 138 Richardson Ozona Road on Feb. 21.

Allison said that during the search, eight individuals were in the home; George Case, 54, and Joni Young, 33, both of 138 Richardson Ozona Road; Timothy Holt, 50, of 196 Beasley Alexander Rd. Carriere; Suzan Seal, 36, of 548 Highway 90 Apt. 2 Waveland; Sherry Leonhard, 35, of 3 Arbor Lane, Picayune; Carrigan Mason, 35, of 111 Myrtle Dr. Picayune, Misty Michelle, 42, 78 CJ Harold Rd., Poplarville and John Blancaneaux, 35, of 286 Magnolia St. Picayune.

Allison said the structure was a shuttered child day care center that had been closed due to its state of disrepair, lack of water and power and the fact that the copper wire had been stripped from the premises.

He said the suspects appeared to have been stealing electricity using an extension cord that was stealing power connected to a nearby residence.

While searching the residence, investigators had to avoid contact with human feces. During the search, officers located several hypodermic needles, pieces of tin foil and other items commonly used to inject controlled substances, Allison said.

As the detectives waited for a van to transport the suspects, another vehicle pulled up, occupied by four people; Sandra Lynn Sanders, 31, of 3119 Railroad St.; Jessie Mutz, 39, of 34 Curlie Seal Rd. Picayune; Jessica Baughman, 33, of 837 Cesar Road and Leeland Clint Parker, 34, of 6 Parker Rd.  When the detectives saw hypodermic needle in plan view inside the vehicle, a search of the vehicle found four additional needles, a digital scale and a loaded 45-caliber gun, Allison said.

All 12 suspects were arrested for possession of paraphernalia and were transported to the Pearl River County jail. George Case was additionally arrested for one count of theft of utilities.

In a separate case worked on Feb. 23 detectives with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department narcotics unit and criminal investigation division along with officers with the Mississippi Department of Corrections arrived at the home of James Terry Henry, 55, located at 227 White Sand Rd. because he had not reported in since October 2017. Allison said his department had also received numerous complaints that alleged property crimes and narcotic violations were taking place at the residence, Allison said.

The team arrived to find several individuals in the front yard, and Henry fleeing the residence. Henry was  caught a short time later arrested for the outstanding warrant.

Allison said a search of the property recovered methamphetamine, suboxone, oxycodone, marijuana, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia.

Officers also found Henry in possession of two weapons, which was illegal due to his probation status with MDOC.

Henry was arrested for two counts of possession of a weapon by convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine and suboxone with intent to distribute and the MDOC probation violation, Allison said.