An early morning raid in Searcy County Thursday has led to the arrest of five individuals on drug-related charges. One is also facing a weapon-related charge.
Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell says deputies from his department, along with law enforcement from the Marshall Police Department, sheriff’s deputies from Stone and Van Buren counties, the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Arkansas Division of Community Corrections and the Arkansas Game and Fish Law Enforcement Division executed a raid at the Glen Echo Apartments in Leslie, following a lengthy investigation.
In addition to the arrests, narcotics, cash and a vehicle were seized.
Arrested was 52-year-old Kenneth Alan Gonzales of Leslie. Online court records indicate Gonzales is charged with possession of meth or cocaine with purpose to deliver; use or possession of paraphernalia to manufacture meth or cocaine; and offenses relating to records, maintaining premises in a drug-free zone. He also faces two drug-related misdemeanor counts. His bond was set at $50,000.
The five arrested also included 64-year-old James Watkins of Marshall. Online court records indicate Watkins is charged with felony counts of use or possession of paraphernalia to manufacture meth or cocaine; possession of meth or cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia to ingest or inhale; and possession of a firearm by certain persons, meaning he is a convicted felon. He also faces two drug-related misdemeanor counts. His bond was set at $40,000.
Three other residents of Leslie were arrested, including 29-year-old Scarlet Massey. Massey is facing felony counts of possession of drug paraphernalia to ingest or inhale; failure to keep record maintaining drug premises; and endangering the welfare of a minor. She also faces one drug-related misdemeanor count. Her bond was set at $27,500.
According to the probable cause affidavit, at the time law enforcement executed the search warrant at Massey’s residence, her juvenile child was present. It was noted all the drug-related evidence seized at Massey’s residence was readily accessible to the juvenile, including items located in a Mickey Mouse zipper bag.
Thirty-seven-year-old Clayton Derek Crawford is charged with two felony counts of delivery of meth or cocaine. His bond was set at $15,000.
Also arrested was 49-year-old Donya Rae Phillips. Phillips is charged with felony counts of possession of meth or cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia to ingest or inhale; and use or possession of paraphernalia to manufacture meth or cocaine. Her bond was set at $12,500.
Sheriff Cassell says Gonzales, Massey and Crawford also face enhanced penalty charges of proximity to certain facilities.
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