A combination of routine patrol and proactive response to community complaints led to the arrest of several suspects for drug related offenses.

Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said that on June 4, narcotics detectives on patrol stopped a truck driven by 25-year-old Taylor Pique, of 555 Red Hill Church Rd., Lumberton for an expired tag. During the stop, a shotgun was seen on the passenger side of the vehicle next to 26-year-old Aaron McWilliams of 77 Corey Kirtland Rd., Poplarville. When the detectives detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a search was conducted where a bag of marijuana and two glass pipes with signs of methamphetamine residue were found. A check of McWilliams’ record showed he had a prior conviction, leading to his arrest for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.

Pique and a second passenger, identified as Rachel Hart, 26, of 42 Brewer Lane, Poplarville, claimed ownership of the glass pipes, leading to their arrest for possession of paraphernalia, Allison said.

A separate case worked on June 11, began as a routine patrol for narcotics activity that led to a stop for careless driving. Allison said the detective found David Sandifer, 59, of 506 North Sixth St., Lumberton behind the wheel, and an alcoholic beverage on the floor. Sandifer and his passenger, 62-year-old Jimmy R. Strickland, of 203 S. Tenth St., Lumberton, were asked to exit the vehicle so a search could be conducted. Allison said that in the search a large amount of methamphetamine was found, leading to Sandifer being arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and careless driving. Strickland was arrested for felony possession of methamphetamine.

A day later, a separate case involved a search of a home located at 1059 Thomas School Rd., Lumberton. Allison said the search was conducted in response to community complaints alleging drug activity was taking place at the home. Inside, detectives found 58-year-old Terry Childers, of that address, 39-year-old Jason Barber of 84 Sandy Oak Lane, Poplarville, 36-year-old Nancy Barber of 1059 Thomas School Rd. and 26-year-old Demetrius Willis of 36 Central Industrial Rd., Purvis.

Four firearms and various paraphernalia associated with the use of methamphetamine were found in the home, Allison said. A check of Childers’ criminal history determined he was a convicted felon, leading to his arrest for four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All of the other suspects were arrested for possession of paraphernalia, Allison said.

In a separate case, a stop conducted on a 2006 Mercedes Benz on June 13 found Calvin Vaugh, 42, of 108 Elmer Jackson Rd., Carriere behind the wheel. Allison said the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, leading to a search that found a large amount of the drug inside. Vaughn was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

On June 21, Sheriff’s Department detectives and detectives with the Picayune Police Department received information that a man wanted out of Rankin County was hiding at a home on Walnut Grove in Picayune. The team of detectives arrived at the home in search of 37-year-old William Rodney Hambright, of 14474 Highway 27, Utica, to serve a warrant for skipping the second court date of an ongoing trial against him. Allison said that it appeared Hambright fled to Pearl River County to evade prosecution.

When the team of detectives arrived at the home, Hambright was caught trying to flee out the back door. Further investigation determined that 43-year-old Charles Rohrbacker of 33 East St., Picayune was allegedly assisting Hambright in his attempt to elude capture. Hambright was arrested for the outstanding warrant, and Rohrbacker was arrested for hindering prosecution and for possession of methamphetamine after a small amount of the drug was found in his possession, Allison said.