Several more suspects have been arrested recently as part of the Pearl River County Sheriff Department’s yearlong investigation into the sale of illegal narcotics.
Sheriff David Allison said these additional four suspects were part of the long-term investigation, which has already netted a number of other suspects. He said the department is trying a new method this year. Instead of attempting to pick up numerous suspects as part of a one-night operation, they are being arrested one by one.
Allison said officers attempted to pick up Mike Nowell, 52, of 208 North Dairy St. Poplarville. as part of this operation, but when they arrived, 48-year-old Elizabeth Nowell answered the door and told them that Mike was not home. However when officers made entry into the home Mike Nowell was allegedly found to be hiding in the house. Mike Nowell was charged with conspiracy to transfer a controlled substance and sale of a controlled substance, Allison said. Elizabeth Nowell, also of 208 North Dairy St., Poplarville, was arrested the following day on the charges of two counts of conspiracy to transfer a controlled substance, one count of sale of a controlled substance and hindering prosecution for telling the detectives Mike Nowell was not home the day before. Her bond was set at $50,000 and if convicted she could face up to 50 years in jail, Allison said. Mike Nowell’s bond was set at $28,000 and if convicted he could face up to 28 years in prison, Allison said. They were both allegedly selling methamphetamine, he said.
Also arrested as part of the operation was 41-year-old Rickie Hutcherson of 7 Rolling Oak Dr., for three counts of conspiracy to transfer a controlled substance and three counts of sale of a controlled substance. Allison said Hutcherson was already out on bond when he was arrested on these charges, leading to the previous bond being revoked. His new bond was set for $60,000, but he will have to remain in jail due to the previous bond being revoked. Allison said he was allegedly selling suboxone film.
Whitney Penton was also arrested as part of the investigation. Allison said 24-year-old Penton, of 1116 York St., was charged with conspiracy to transfer a controlled substance and sale of a controlled substance for allegedly selling methamphetamine.
The sheriff said the cases against these individuals involved undercover agents purchasing illegal narcotics from them.