Two cases worked by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department earlier this month netted several suspects for drug related offenses.
One of the cases began as a community complaint submitted on Aug. 11, said Sheriff David Allison. The compliant alleged that a female had been seen staggering around a parking lot at a McNeill business after pulling up in her vehicle.
Investigators arrived to find the woman, identified as 29-year-old Brittany S. Varnado of 114 Villa Lane, in the parking lot, but when she saw them approach, she fled into the store, Allison said. The investigators recognized Varnado as having a warrant for her arrest for the offense of possession of paraphernalia.
Allison said the investigators located Varndo in the store, took her into custody and then searched the vehicle she drove to the business.
In that search, the investigators found several items of contraband, including a large amount of heroin, methamphetamine, Adderall pills, Clonzapam, a syringe and a pistol, all of which was seized as evidence, Allison said.
She was arrested for the possession of paraphernalia warrant and four counts of felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm, Allison said.
Another call made to the department on Aug. 18, alleged that a home invasion was occurring at a home located at 11094 River Road. Allison said deputies responded to the home and instead of finding a home invasion in progress, found residents of the home engaged in a fight.
While speaking with the residents, drug paraphernalia in plain sight was noticed by the deputy, prompting him to request the assistance of narcotics investigators.
When the investigators arrived, they determined several occupants of the home were on probation with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. MDOC officers were called out to assist, and during the subsequent investigation and search of the home drug paraphernalia was recovered, Allison said.
Four occupants of the home, including 46-year-old Amos Earnest, 54-year-old James Bond and 29-year-old Tiffany Bond, all of 1094 River Road, along with 31-year-old Christopher Whittington of 106 Lilac Dr., Nicholson, were all taken into custody for probation violation and possession of paraphernalia, Allison said.
Additionally, 30-year-old Brandon Gestring of 1520 N. Beech St. and 46-year-old Amanda Lee of 157 Shorty Burgess Rd., were arrested for possession of paraphernalia.
While the suspects were being booked into the Lenoir Rowell Correctional Facility in Millard, Bond was found to be in possession of Xanax, leading to an additional offense of possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility being pressed against him, Allison said.