Danny Clifft
J.C. Payne III
Tina Amaral
A probation home visit in the Henderson area Tuesday afternoon has led to the arrest of three people, including 66-year-old Danny Clifft, who allegedly stashed drugs and paraphernalia inside a washing machine when alerted law enforcement was en route to his location.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says when officers arrived at the home of 37-year-old Tina Amaral, they also found a second probationer, 52-year-old J.C. Payne III. Payne advised officers he was staying at a different address in Henderson on Greenleaf Lane, but his probation officer was not aware he was residing there.
Officers accompanied Payne to the house on Greenleaf Lane, where upon arrival they observed Clifft exiting the residence carrying a clear Ziploc-style bag. When Clifft saw the officers, he went back inside the house, where they saw him conceal the plastic bag inside a washing machine.
The bag contained approximately 10 grams of marijuana, smoking devices, and other miscellaneous items. When Clifft was asked why he was carrying the bag and then concealed it, he allegedly said Amaral had called him warning officers were headed to the house to search Paynes room. When Clifft was asked to provide photo identification, officers observed a large sum of cash inside his wallet, which he could not provide a believable explanation for having.
In Paynes room officers found approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine, additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia. An additional large sum of cash was later found in Cliffts pants pocket. Over $1,600 was located on Clifft and seized as evidence of drug distribution, pending orders of the court as to its ultimate disposal.
Payne has been charged with two felony drug-related offenses and one misdemeanor. He was released from the Baxter County Detention Center after posting a $15,000 bond.
Clifft was charged with one felony and one misdemeanor drug-related offense, along with a felony count of tampering with physical evidence. He was released from the Baxter County jail after posting a $10,000 bond.
Amaral has been charged with a misdemeanor offense of obstructing governmental operations and released from jail after posting a bond of $270.
Payne and Clifft are set to appear in circuit court later this month, while Amaral is scheduled for an appearance in district court.
Agencies involved in the arrests were the Baxter County Sheriffs Office, the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Mountain Home Police Department.
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