Two people, Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery identifies as “squatters”, were arrested on burglary and drug charges Friday evening after deputies responded to suspected trespassers at 446 Springlake Drive in Mountain Home. 34-year-old Christopher Gene Sanders and 36-year-old Sara Lena Sanders were both booked on felony residential burglary charges along with misdemeanor charges associated with theft of property and drugs. They were both released from custody after each posted a $15,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court.
According to Montgomery, the owner of the residence was out of town and a neighbor contacted him saying the two suspects were observed at his residence. The owner confirmed nobody had permission to be there.
On arrival, deputies made contact with both Christopher and Sara Sanders. During the investigation, it was determined Christopher knew the son of the property owner and had spent the night at the residence once about ten months ago. Both he and Sara allegedly admitted they did not have permission or consent to be there and had gained entry through a back door.
A search of the residence uncovered approximately 8.1 grams of marijuana and various articles of drug paraphernalia, which Christopher admitted were his. The pair had apparently been living in the house for a number of days.
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