Search warrant leads to arrest of eight in Falls County
Eight people are behind bars after the Falls County Sheriff’s Office made arrests in an ongoing drug case on Dec. 6.
Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman reported the culmination of an investigation into the sale of methamphetamine from a residence located just south of Marlin.
Scaman said the investigation had been ongoing and on Dec. 6 deputies were able to obtain a search warrant for the location. The residence is on County Road 220, also known as Pear Orchard Lane, in Marlin.
Scaman reported that some informants described the location as being that of a 7-11 store as it was open and doing business at all hours of the day and night.
At approximately 8 p.m., Scaman and deputies executed the search warrant and they were immediately met by two individuals in the front yard of the home. Those two individuals were identified as Devitte Simpson, 47, and Keith Lamont Williams Jr., 31, both from Marlin. Simpson and Williams were detained and both found to be in possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
Scaman said he and deputies continued and made entry to the home where there were six other individuals in the living room area. There was drug paraphernalia consistent with all six consuming illegal substances just prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
A search was conducted of the residence and more methamphetamine was located.
All eight subjects were arrested and they included Simpson; Williams Jr.; Reneisha Armstead, 20, of Marlin; Shannon Goodridge, 49, of Marlin; Torion Laury, 27, of Rosebud; Rickey Joe Mitchell, 35, of Rosebud; Dominic Perez, 21, of Marlin; and Irvin Velazquez, 35, of Marlin.
Velazquez was also charged with two counts of possession of dangerous drugs in addition to the methamphetamine charge.
The eight were taken to the Falls County Jail where they were booked on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and dangerous drugs. They remained in custody as of Saturday, Dec. 7, awaiting arraignment.
Scaman said he was well pleased at the success of the search warrant. He complimented his staff on each of their dedication to take these dopers off the streets.
“It takes a considerable amount of time and work to gain the information needed to obtain a search warrant and then a great deal of time to search a piece of property,” Scaman said. “Me and my staff are more dedicated than ever to putting dopers behind bars where they belong.”
Scaman said this was a good wake-up call to those who engage in possession and usage of illegal substances and that this investigation has just begun with the possibility of more arrests and search warrants in the coming months based on this investigation alone.
Anyone seeing suspicious activity is encouraged to call Sheriff Scaman or one of his deputies at (254) 803-1000 or Falls County CrimeStoppers at (254) 883-0332 and report such.