Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot said deputies reported that they first received a report of a man taking a vehicle without permission. Shortly after taking the report, deputies recovered the vehicle and arrested Herman Elbert Stephens, 50.
Law enforcement discovered that several items of personal property had been taken from the vehicle that Stephens was caught in, Philpot said. Stephens later admitted to taking property from the vehicle.
After a search warrant was obtained to recover stolen property from Stephens' home, deputies found several items of stolen property, substances appearing to be methamphetamine, paraphernalia commonly associated with the use of controlled dangerous substances, and a firearm.
Stephens was arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft of property, knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on a $69,000 bond.
Tammy Kay Stephens, 42, was also arrested at the scene. She was booked into the county jail on charges of knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia. She is being held on a $57,000 bond.
Philpot said the Sallisaw Police Department assisted the his office in the investigation.
