Published: June 24, 2008 02:54 pm      

Sheriff’s Department nabs suspects

PICAYUNE — One surveillance operation by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Dept. netted seven suspects, all charged with allegedly selling narcotics, while a suspect in a separate case is still being sought.

Investigator Lt. Donnie Saucier with the Sheriff’s Department said that on June 17, investigators using surveillance and confidential information went to the home of William G. McQueen. When deputies arrived at his residence, located at 15 Rochelle Dr., Lumberton, they saw a group of people who scattered and ran.

All of the people who ran were caught and taken into custody. McQueen signed a consent form for deputies to search the residence and as a result of the search, the deputies and investigators found about a half-pound of marijuana packaged in individual packets, Saucier said.

During the search, deputies found small amounts of marijuana in almost every room of the residence, even the deep freezer, Saucier said.

Apparently one of the suspects also ran out of the back door of the residence carrying an ammunition box with a large amount of marijuana in it that was dropped during the operation. Since no one would claim ownership of the box, all seven suspects — five adults and two juveniles — were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, which is a felony charge, Saucier said.

Suspects taken into custody include, McQueen, 45; Harmony McQueen, 17, of 302 Boggy Branch Rd., Poplarville; Kaleb Lambert, 19, of 304 Boggy Branch Rd., Poplarville; Amanda Kerry, 22, 430 White Chapel Rd. Lot B, Carriere and two juveniles, both age 16.

Kenneth “Kool-Aid” Smith, 25, of 38 Water Oak Lane, Poplarville, was arrested on the same charge as the other suspects and additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Saucier said the deputies and investigators found two 12-gauge shotguns, one of them with a sawed-off barrel, a .44 caliber lever-action rifle and a .22 caliber rifle at the residence.

In a separate case on that same day, investigators and deputies served a search warrant at 96 Wildflame Circle, Lumberton, the residence of 33 year-old Jonathan Mitchell. Using a warrant obtained through surveillance and confidential information, a search of the home found only the 14 year-old son of Mitchell at home. The search found a misdemeanor amount of marijuana, devices used to smoke methamphetamine, tin foil with what is believed to be methamphetamine residue, a gas mask believed to be used in the production of methamphetamine and resale packaging for methamphetamine, Saucier said.

Investigators were able to make contact with Mitchell through his son, who indicated he was on his way home to see to his son’s care. Mitchell failed to show up after several hours.

“It was rather sad he didn’t show up to tend to his 14 year-old son,” Saucier said.

The boy’s grandfather took care of the boy instead, Saucier said.

Mitchell is still wanted for the charge of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. The tin foil has been sent to the Mississippi Crime Lab. If tests are conclusive for the drug, the charge of possession of methamphetamine also could be added to that list, Saucier said.