Several suspected drug dealers and users where shut down and locked up after local law enforcement agencies teamed up to execute a countywide narcotic warrant sweep.

On July 7 Sequoyah County Sheriffs Department, Sallisaw, Muldrow, and Roland Police Departments and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) made the operation a successful mission after more then 30 people with outstanding warrants were arrested.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart said during the sweep several items like drugs, vehicles, cash, property, and an indoor marijuana growing operation were seized.

“We couldn’t have accomplished what we did without the cooperation of our local law enforcement agencies, our deputies and the district attorney’s office,” Lockhart said.

Prior to the execution of the operation over 20 officers gathered for a briefing where District Attorney Jerry Moore thanked each of them for their part in the operation.

“We’ve reached a good working relationship between the district attorney’s office and the sheriff’s office,” Moore said.

Lockhart said since February, the sheriff’s office has made a total of 60 drug-related arrests, seized 18 vehicles, $1.5 million in assets, executed 11 search warrants and conducted 25 of what are known as “knock and talks,”

Investigations

“We’re going to give 150 percent in the fight against illegal drugs in the county. We’re not stopping just with this county though. We are going to have to go outside the county to put a dent in the drug problem here,” Lockhart said.

Shaloa Edwards, Sallisaw chief of police, said he was very glad to take part in the operation. He said he believes it was a success and he enjoyed working with other law enforcement agencies.

Lockhart and Edwards both said some of the people that were arrested are well known to both departments. The sheriff and chief also said officers deal with dangerous situations all the time but when dealing with those people involved in drugs the situation can become extremely dangerous.

“People on drugs, if they are high, can be combative,” Edwards said.

Nabbed in sweep

Roger Fuller, Sequoyah County under sheriff said since the sweep started there has been close to 38 arrested out of 48. Lockhart said several other arrests are suspected.

Not all names are listed that were arrested during the sweep.

ASHLEY ANN BOATMAN

Ashley Ann Boatman, 18, of Sallisaw, was charged July 6 in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), a misdemeanor.

According to court records a warrant for arrest was issued on July 6 Boatman was arrested July 8 and present for arraignment on July 8. Boatman pleaded not guilty. Boatman is scheduled for a disposition hearing at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 28.

If convicted Boatman could face up to one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.

MARSHA ANN BRUCE

Marsha Ann Bruce, 37, of Roland was arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on July 7 for distribution of a CDS. Boatman was released on a $10,000 bond and arraigned Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. If convicted Bruce could face two years to life or a fine up to $20,000 or both.

Bruce was previously arrested on Feb. 20 for driving under the influence of drugs by OHP Trooper Derek Griffey.

CODY RYAN CRIPPS

Cody Ryan Cripps, 24, of Sallisaw was charged July 6 in district court with distribution of a CDS, a felony. A warrant for Cripps arrest was issued on July 6 and Cripps was picked up on July 7. Cripps was released on a $12,500 bond.

Attorney Dan George of Sallisaw who will represent Cripps asked for the hearing to be continued. The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 5 in district court.

According to court records, Cripps has several charges against him.

In April 2004 Cripps was charged with injury to a minor child. In April 2007 Cripps was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and last month Cripps was charged with domestic abuse, assault and battery.

RICHARD CAUGHMAN

Richard Caughman, 45, of Sallisaw was charged July 6 in Sequoyah County District Court with three felonies and one misdemeanor. Charges are distribution of a CDS, conspiracy to deliver a CDS, possession of a CDS, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Caughman was taken to the Sequoyah County Jail and his bond was set at $50,000.

Caughman pleaded not guilty on July 15 during his arraignment in district court.

According to court records, Attorney Scott Hickman will represent Caughman during a preliminary hearing scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 31.

ANGELA KAY HENDRICKS

Angela Kay Hendricks, 32, of Sallisaw had a warrant for her arrest issued on July 6 and was picked up on July 7 during the warrant sweep. Hendricks was charged July 6 with trafficking in illegal drugs, a felony and conspiracy to deliver CDS, a felony.

On July 9 Hendricks was also charged with possession of a CDS, a felony and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Hendricks is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 31 in district court.

TRINA LOUISE HARVELL

Trina Louise Harvell, 42, of Vian was charged on July 6 for manufacturing CDS, a felony and distribution of CDS. A warrant was issued for Harvell on July 6 and the warrant was served July 7.

Harvell was booked into the county jail and released on a $20,000 bond according to jail booking records.

Harvell was arraigned on Wednesday in district court.

SHARON M. TOMLINSON

Sharon Maire Tomlinson, 32, of Sallisaw was charged with distribution of a CDS, a felony on July 6 in district court.

Tomlinson had a warrant issued for her arrest on July 6 and was booked into the county jail on July 7.

Tomlinson was released the same day on a $10,000 bond.

Tomlinson was arraigned on Wednesday. If convicted Tomlinson could face two years up to life in prison or a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

BUFORD RAY WHITAKER

Buford Ray Whitaker, 31, of Sallisaw was charged with distribution of CDS, a felony, on July 6 in district court.

Whitaker was booked into the county jail on July 7 and released later the same day on a $10,000 bond. Whitaker was arraigned on Wednesday.

DANIELLE DENISE WADDLE

Danielle Denise Waddle, 25, of Sallisaw was charged with cultivation of CDS, a felony, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Waddle had a warrant issued for her arrest on July 6 and was picked up on July 7. Waddle was booked into the county jail and released on a $10,000 bond on July 8.

Waddle was arraigned on Wednesday in district court. If convicted, Waddle could face up two years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 on the felony count.

CASSANDRA DANIELLE MILLER

Cassandra Danielle Miller, 19, of Sallisaw was charged with conspiracy to deliver CDS, a felony on July 6.

A warrant for Miller’s arrest was issued on July 6 and Miller was picked up during the warrant sweep on July 7.

Miller was booked into the county jail on July 7 and released later that day on a $10,000 bond.

Miller was arraigned on Wednesday in district court. If convicted, Miller could face two years up to life in prison.