NICEVILLE – A 32-year-old Crestview woman sitting in the third row of a passenger van that was pulled over by a Niceville Police Department officer was arrested after syringes and methamphetamines were found near her.

One of the syringes was in plain view at her feet.

The other was crammed into a pile of her clothing, as if she’d tried to conceal it at the stop, according to her Niceville Police Department arrest report. A clear bag of methamphetamine was also discovered.

She told officers none of the items were hers and she had no idea who they belonged to.

She was charged with possession of drugs and equipment.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20161221/police-blotter-woman-has-no-idea-who-owns-meth-syringes

COWETA — A woman was arrested Tuesday after nearly 20 meth labs were found in her Coweta home, law enforcement officials said.

Wagoner County sheriff’s deputies and Coweta police officers discovered 19 “shake and bake” meth labs in the home of Apryl Jeske, 54, in the 26000 block of East 10th Street on Tuesday morning, Deputy Nick Mahoney said in a news release. A search warrant had been issued for Jeske’s home after officials gained information that narcotics were being manufactured and maintained there, he said.

Officials located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the house, Mahoney said, and also found a motorcycle that had been reported stolen in Broken Arrow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crimewatch/coweta-woman-arrested-after-meth-labs-discovered-in-home/article_75318ecf-8290-5d22-bc6e-ebba204dc506.html

SANTA CRUZ >> A Santa Cruz man and Scotts Valley woman were arrested on suspicion of having more than 89 grams of methamphetamine, 8 grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia, according to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.

Meryl Craig, 46, of Santa Cruz was arrested in connection with possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of heroin for sale and possession of drugs for sale with the same prior offense. All are felonies. Jessica Thompson, 33, of Scotts Valley also was arrested on suspicion of possession of heroin for sale and possession of methamphetamine for sale, according to a release by Sgt. Mark Yanez.

Members of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team served a search warrant at a motel at the 600 block of the of Third Street in Santa Cruz, where officers found the drugs, a scale, drug-packaging materials “consistent with drug sales” and syringes, according to the release.

The Anti-Crime Team combines efforts by California State Parks, Santa Cruz County Probation Department, Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Watsonville Police Department, Capitola Police Department, Scotts Valley Police Department, California Highway Patrol and UC Santa Cruz Police Department.

Craig remained in custody Tuesday afternoon at Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $140,000 bail. Sgt. Chris Clark, the Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said Thompson was released Saturday. He did not immediately have information about her bond.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/general-news/20161220/man-woman-suspected-in-drug-case-police-say

PRESCOTT — Trying to conceal gem baggies full of meth down her shirt during a traffic stop in Prescott didn’t prevent a Minnesota woman from being arrested for multiple felonies.

Meghan J. Blaiser

http://www.piercecountyherald.com/news/crime-and-courts/4183816-meth-baggies-concealed-under-scarf

http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/mother-daughter-charged-with-meth-possession/article_118d78f2-db98-57e0-8fc7-aee07751690e.html

BEREA, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Richmond Register is reporting that a Berea man was arrested Sunday morning after a woman called Madison County deputies saying the man was holding her against her will at a home on South Dogwood Drive.

According to the newspaper, the woman told deputies that the man had forced her to use methamphetamine and had raped her repeatedly over a three-day period.  The woman reportedly locked herself in a bedroom in order to make the call.

The Richmond Register says, when deputies arrived, the victim ran out of the home barefoot and was taken to safety.  63-year-old Danny Davidson, the suspected captor, also came out of the home and tried to drive away, but was taken into custody, according to the paper.

Davidson has been charged with rape and adult kidnapping.  He was taken to the Madison Co. Detention Center.

Rape, Kidnapping Charges for Berea Man

A woman is accused of introducing contraband into Ouachita Correctional Center following a traffic stop Monday.

About 10:30 p.m., a Louisiana State Police trooper conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 165 near Finks Hideaway Road after a vehicle reportedly crossed the fog line with both right side tires.

According to the trooper, the driver, Amy Williams Jones, 38, of Rayville, was unsteady on her feet and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. She was arrested and booked into Ouachita Correctional Center, where she reportedly told corrections officers that her passenger had stuck a bag in her underwear. A deputy found a bag containing methamphetamine.

Jones submitted to chemical tests for intoxication. No alcohol use was found, but Jones reportedly said she had taken a Klonopin.

She was charged with DWI first offense, introduction of contraband into a penal institution (meth), possession of a controlled dangerous substance Schedule II (meth) and improper lane use. Bond on the DWI charge and improper lane use was set at $1,150. Other bond information is not available.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/20/woman-passenger-put-meth-my-undies/95654370/

BANGKOK: A drugged-up driver in a six-wheel truck crashed into 36 vehicles while driving in Bangkok’s Ekamai area on Wednesday (Dec 21), according to local media.

was high on crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, when he went on a rampage with the truck, according to the Bangkok Post. The newspaper reported that three people had been injured.

Metropolitan police chief Sanit Mahathavorn told reporters that Yotsiri was found with 1.93 grams of crystal meth, and that Yotsiri said he had taken the drug for stress relief after his wife walked out on him.

He was stopped for driving in a bus lane, and the first accident occurred when his truck hit a police motorcycle, the police chief added. The truck then went on to hit 30 cars and six motorcycles, the Bangkok Post reported. Police shot at the truck’s tyres and the truck eventually came to a stop. Yotsiri then ran off on foot towards the BTS Ekamai station.

Police Senior Sergeant Major Chamnarn Boonvitayakul, who was the rider on the police motorcycle, told the Bangkok Post: “If he could not go forward, he went backwards, without considering that his action would cause damage to others.”

Yotsiri will reportedly be charged with drug possession, careless driving and fleeing the scene of the accident.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/driver-high-on-crystal-meth-crashes-into-36-vehicles-in-bangkok/3385392.html

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County detectives have announced that they have arrested six suspects and are searching for two suspects involved in a major meth bust.

The drug bust was part of a two-month investigation conducted by undercover detectives, working with the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force, the Florida Highway Patrol, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Tampa Office, U.S. Border Patrol and the State Attorney’s Office of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

The investigation began when Polk County detectives learned of a Polk County distributor who was getting shipments of Meth from an unknown Mexican source. That distributor was identified as Ignacio Munoz-Delgado.

A total of six suspects were arrested, approximately 6.7 pounds of Methamphetamine ICE, approximately $39,000 in cash and five guns were seized during the bust.

Arrested in Polk County:

• 43-year-old Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, 4 Garcia Lane, Frostproof – head of the Polk County organization; charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams (F1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), two counts of Maintaining a Structure for drug trafficking (F2), Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1), unlawful use of a two- way communication device (F3), maintaining a residence for drug trafficking (F3), possession of stolen firearms (F3). (Munoz-Delgado was arrested in April 2009 charged with Armed Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine under an unrelated 2009 PCSO case.  After receiving a plea deal and serving approximately one year in prison, Munoz-Delgado was released in October 2010, and deported to Mexico.)
• 30-year-old Willis Bullard IV, 304 Thomas St, Frostproof – charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 or more (F1), and Unlawful use of 2-way and Communications Device (F3).

“Don’t be fooled by those who would have you believe drug traffickers are somehow minor, non-violent’ offenders. The drug trafficker in this case, Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, was armed to the teeth, including two AR-15s, a shotgun, and two rifles. And he was arrested for armed Cocaine trafficking in 2009. He was in the country illegally then as he is now he served a short sentence in prison and was deported to Mexico in 2010. Guess what: he came back again. Now he’s dealing in Methamphetamine. Lots of it. We know Meth is one of the most destructive illegal drugs on the streets in central Florida. It ruins lives, destroys families, fuels violence, drives up property crime, and wrecks neighborhoods. Anyone associated with it especially those who sell and traffic it are doing violence to people and causing harm in our communities.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

“Munoz is exactly the kind of guy, a drug dealer with firearms charges, that the current administration is commuting sentences for or out-right pardoning. Of the 1,176 commutations during the Obama administration (so far), 211 included firearms charges. Munoz was in the country illegally, he was released from prison, deported, and he’s right back at it again, trafficking in Methamphetamine, a drug that is so devastating to our community. Munoz is exactly the kind of guy, a convicted criminal drug trafficking illegal alien, that the next president wants to deport to his country of origin after he serves his prison term.”  Sheriff Grady Judd

Of the six suspects arrested, four were arrested in Texas:

• 24-year-old Ana Maria Flores Morales, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 25-year-old Jose Antonio Ledesma Rosa, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 41-year-old Federico Antonio Medellin, East Corporate Drive, Lewisville, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 39-year-old Ronald Castro, South Carrier Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas – charged with to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

All four suspects are awaiting extradition to Polk County.

Detectives are still looking for two suspects who are on the run:

• 55-year-old Tamara Smith, Chuck Wagon Way, Lake Wales – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and maintaining a residence for drug trafficking.
• 36-year-old Kevin Brown, Luke Street, Frostproof – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/six-arrested-in-polk-county-meth-bust-more-than-6-lbs-of-meth-nearly-40k-and-five-guns-seized

A 33-year-old woman faces five years in a federal prison after admitting to receiving a pound of methamphetamine from a member of the Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel by mail.

Julia Ann Puentes, who is out on bond, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant to a count of use of mail in aid of racketeering and aiding and abetting.

Investigators linked Puentes to a methamphetamine distribution operation in Lubbock run by members of the Sinaloa Cartel. Puentes’ name was listed in a drug ledger seized by Texas Department of Public Safety investigators during a June 18, 2015, drug bust at a home in the 2300 block of Birch Street. Investigators also seized more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine.

The three men who lived in the home – Juan Carlos Pinales, Ramon Oscaldo Escobar-Robles and Jesus Mario Moreno-Perez – were arrested and charged with drug trafficking. All three pleaded guilty in federal court in January to a count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Pinales was sentenced to 151 months in prison, Escobar-Robles was handed a 78-month prison sentence and Moreno-Perez was sentenced to 120 months in prison.

Puentes moved to Denver City after the arrests, the documents state. A confidential informant told investigators Puentes was contacting a Sinaloa Cartel methamphetamine dealer who lived in Mexico. Phone records indicated the two spoke between Jan. 28 and June 10. During that time, Puentes received through mail about a pound of methamphetamine from the dealer, which she distributed.

Puentes’ will remain on bond until her sentencing hearing, which will be set at the completion of a pre-sentencing report.

http://lubbockonline.com/news/2016-12-21/south-plains-woman-admits-receiving-meth-mail

A woman has released pictures of herself showing how she has recovered from the devastating effects of heroin and meth addiction.

Dejah Hall, 26, put the pictures on Facebook to celebrate her fourth anniversary of being clean.

She said: ‘The top left is me in full blown addiction, I was a terrible IV user and like most, progressively got worse.

‘The bottom left is me the day I was arrested 12-6-12 and coincidentally the day I finally surrendered to God!

‘With the help of God I am completing my BA and hope to one day be a prison minister. I have a beautiful 18-month-old and every day I thank God that I am not where I once was!’

She talked about how her addiction started: ‘I was partying with a friend and I took a pill for the first time and due to stress and issues at home it just went downhill from there.

‘I was taking up to six prescription pills at a time every single day before I reached a point at 20 years old where I wanted to get off them.’

She added: ‘I was a monster in every way. I didn’t care who I hurt – I didn’t care about anything anymore. I didn’t have anyone else or family to look to at that point.’

Dejah decided to stop taking drugs in December 2012 after visiting her grandfather, Rich, on his birthday.

He told her ‘You’re hurting me Dejah’ and that was when she realized things needed to change.

She saw herself in the mirror and went out to Rich to promise she would get clean.

She was arrested hours later, but two weeks later her grandfather died and she now wishes she could tell him that she managed to get clean.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/22/former-meth-addict-shows-before-and-after-pictures-as-she-celebrates-four-years-sober-6338763/

The Saline County Prosecutor’s office filed felony possession charges against a Sweet Springs man and woman Wednesday, Dec. 21, in a more than a year old drug seizure.

Both Randy L. Snow, 61, and Sheila A. Schmitt, 53, were charged with the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana. Officers allegedly seized amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia while serving a search warrant on the residence the two shared on Aug. 27, 2015.

According to the officer’s report, Snow willingly produced a small keychain container with marijuana inside, a small bag of methamphetamine was recovered from Snow’s wallet, two bags of methamphetamine were recovered from Schmitt’s purse, two more bags of methamphetamine were located on a bookshelf in the master bedroom, and a marijuana pipe was found on an end table in the living room.

http://www.marshallnews.com/story/2371081.html

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/crime/women-arrested-after-gallatin-gateway-meth-lab-bust/article_26226bab-8085-5b5f-8bcc-fbfd963e1eb9.html

Three people are jailed after a meth lab bust in Clare County last week.

The Clare County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies received information regarding the location of a wanted fugitive about 1 a.m. Friday. The location, a Hamilton Township home, was checked and the fugitive was found, and was in possession of methamphetamine.

Additional meth, the material to make the drug and an active meth lab also were found. Three Harrison residents were arrested and charged in connection with the lab:

• Kenneth Larman, 41, charged with operating a meth lab, possession of meth and maintaining a drug house. His bond was set at $500,000, 10 percent.
• Kari Larman, 40, charged with operating a meth lab, possession of meth and maintaining a drug house. Her bond was set at $250,000, 10 percent.
• James Morche, 22, charged with charged with operating a meth lab, possession of meth and maintaining a drug house. His bond was set at $500,000, 10 percent.

All three remain lodged in the Clare County Jail.

The Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team was called to the residence and assisted with the clean-up of the active lab.

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/police_and_courts/article/Trio-jailed-after-Clare-County-meth-lab-bust-10810875.php#photo-12078606

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. –   A mother charged with methamphetamine possession while pregnant is accused of the aggravated manslaughter of her 18-day-old boy.

It’s the second baby to die while sleeping in bed with Erin Piche-Pitts. The report on her Tuesday arrest says her 13-day-old daughter died after she fell asleep while breastfeeding in 2009. That death was ruled an accident.

This time, she told deputies she fell asleep while bottle-feeding after her baby woke up crying, and found him unresponsive when she woke up hours later.

The Polk County Sheriff’s report says she was repeatedly warned about co-sleeping risks before and after her drug arrest in July. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the death risk rises significantly if the mother is impaired. The report doesn’t mention any drug test after her boy’s death.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/12/21/meth-charged-mom-faces-manslaughter-in-2nd-baby-sleep-death.html

Early on Oct. 6, Erin Piche-Pitts was awakened by the sound of her baby crying. She later told the authorities in Florida that she had picked him up from a bassinet, prepared some formula in a bottle and settled back into bed with him, propping him up with a pillow and nestling his head in the crook of her arm. Then she dozed off.

www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/us/erin-piche-pitts-infant-death.html?_r=0

BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington woman was being held on $500,000 bond Wednesday on charges that accuse her of participating in the manufacture of meth in a residence where two children were present.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-charged-with-making-meth-in-home-with-children/article_4fb8e980-1284-5ac5-83df-040266dd2714.html

MADISON CO., NC (WSPA) – A Madison Co. couple is accused of abusing a toddler and possessing meth, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies say they got the information on an assault on a 23-month-old on Tuesday.

They say the toddler had extensive bruising on the forehead, side, thighs, and buttocks.

Detectives say they also found several baggies of Methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.

Detectives arrested Molly Leslie Blackwell, 19, and her boyfriend Christopher Aaron Boone, 20.

Both Blackwell and Boone confessed to the Child Abuse and Possession of Methamphetamine, according to detectives.

Sheriff Harwood said Boone was found “hiding in the closet like a coward.”

Bonne was charged with Felony Child Abuse, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Blackwell was charged with Aiding and Abetting Felony Child Abuse, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Couple abused toddler, had meth say Madison Co. deputies

(FOX 11) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry yesterday arrested a man after discovering 237 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside the auxiliary fuel tank of the pickup he was driving.

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Dec. 20, a CBP officer encountered a 29-year-old man after he entered the port of entry driving a white 2000 Ford F-250 pickup truck.  The officer conducted an inspection of the conveyance and detected anomalies with the fuel tank.  The officer referred both driver and vehicle for a more in-depth examination.

CBP officers used the port’s imaging system and a CBP narcotics detector dog to conduct an intensive inspection and found 97 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the vehicle’s auxiliary fuel tank.  The estimated street value of the narcotics was more than $500,000.     

The driver, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing.

He was later transported to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment.

CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.

http://www.foxla.com/home/225216223-story

Frostproof, Florida – Don’t be fooled by those who would have you believe drug traffickers are somehow ‘minor, non-violent’ offenders. The drug trafficker in this case, Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, was armed to the teeth, including two AR-15s, a shotgun, and two rifles. And he was arrested for armed Cocaine trafficking in 2009. He was in the country illegally then as he is now—he served a short sentence in prison and was deported to Mexico in 2010. Guess what: he came back again. Now he’s dealing in Methamphetamine. Lots of it.

We know Meth is one of the most destructive illegal drugs on the streets in central Florida.  It ruins lives, destroys families, fuels violence, drives up property crime, and wrecks neighborhoods. Anyone associated with it—especially those who sell and traffic it—are doing violence to people and causing harm in our communities.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

During a two-month-long investigation Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover detectives, working with the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Task Force, the Florida Highway Patrol, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Tampa Office, U.S. Border Patrol, and the State Attorney’s Office of the 10th Judicial Circuit, arrested six suspects and seized approximately 6.7 pounds of Methamphetamine ICE, approximately $39,000 in US currency, and five firearms.

“Munoz is exactly the kind of guy, a drug dealer with firearms charges, that the current administration is commuting sentences for or out-right pardoning. Of the 1,176 commutations during the Obama administration (so far), 211 included firearms charges. Munoz was in the country illegally—he was released from prison, deported, and he’s right back at it again, trafficking in Methamphetamine, a drug that is so devastating to our community. Munoz is exactly the kind of guy—a convicted criminal drug trafficking illegal alien—that the next president wants to deport to his country of origin after he serves his prison term.”  —Sheriff Grady Judd

The investigation, Operation Numero Dos, was a result of a 2015 investigation named “Operation Numero Uno,” where detectives arrested multiple suspects and seized multiple pounds of Methamphetamine, US currency, two vehicles, and seven firearms all in connection to a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization. Details of that investigation can be found at http://bit.ly/1Kk7wdQ.

The investigation, Operation Numero Dos, was a result of a 2015 investigation named “Operation Numero Uno,” where detectives arrested multiple suspects and seized multiple pounds of Methamphetamine, US currency, two vehicles, and seven firearms all in connection to a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization. Details of that investigation can be found at http://bit.ly/1Kk7wdQ.

From the first investigation detectives learned of a Polk County distributor who was receiving shipments of Methamphetamine from an unknown Mexican source. As a result of the follow-on investigation, the following were arrested here in Polk County:

• 43-year-old Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, 4 Garcia Lane, Frostproof – head of the Polk County organization; charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams (F1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), two
  counts of Maintaining a Structure for drug trafficking (F2), Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1), unlawful use of a two- way communication device (F3), maintaining a residence for drug trafficking (F3), possession of stolen firearms (F3). (Munoz-Delgado was arrested in April 2009 charged with Armed Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine under an unrelated 2009 PCSO case.  After receiving a plea deal and serving approximately one year in prison, Munoz-Delgado was released in October 2010,
  and deported to Mexico.)
• 30-year-old Willis Bullard IV, 304 Thomas St, Frostproof – charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 or more (F1), and Unlawful use of 2-way and Communications Device (F3).

Four suspects were arrested in Texas:

• 24-year-old Ana Maria Flores Morales, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 25-year-old Jose Antonio Ledesma Rosa, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 41-year-old Federico Antonio Medellin, East Corporate Drive, Lewisville, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• 39-year-old Ronald Castro, South Carrier Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas – charged with to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device   There are two suspects at large with outstanding warrants.

Deputies are looking for:

55-year-old Tamara Smith, Chuck Wagon Way, Lake Wales – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and maintaining a residence for drug trafficking.

36-year-old Kevin Brown, Luke Street, Frostproof – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device during Operation Numero Dos, detectives identified the distributor who was receiving shipments of Methamphetamine from a Mexican source as 43-year-old Ignacio Munoz-Delgado. Munoz-Delgado had been previously arrested and convicted on Polk County drug charges and ultimately deported to his country of origin, Mexico. He since illegally returned to the U.S and to Polk County.

Through the investigation, detectives learned Munoz-Delgado was using local distributors and out-of-state curriers to run his drug trafficking business in Polk County.  Through the investigation, detectives learned Munoz-Delgado provided Tamara Smith, Willis Bullard and Kevin Brown with large quantities of Meth which they would in turn resell to their own customers in smaller increments.

Detectives also learned Ana Maria Flores Morales, Jose Antonio Ledesma Rosa, Federico Antonio Medellin, and Ronald Castro acted as curriers bringing shipments of Meth to Munoz-Delgado from Texas and taking payments back to an unknown source.  (The original source is thought to be from Mexico – the investigation is ongoing.)

During September 2016, detectives acting in an undercover capacity arranged to purchase nine ounces of methamphetamine from Munoz-Delgado.    On October 17, 2016, detectives learned Flores and Ledesma delivered two kilograms of methamphetamine to Munoz-Delgado at his ranch located at 2000 West Frostproof Road.

On October 19, 2016, detectives coordinated a traffic stop by the Florida Highway Patrol and as a result, detectives seized $22,680 from Flores and Ledesma; payment from Munoz-Delgado.

On November 20, 2016, detectives learned Castro and Medellin delivered methamphetamine to
Munoz-Delgado at his ranch.

On November 22, 2016, detectives arrested Munoz-Delgado and subsequently executed three search warrants at three different locations:

• 4 Garcia Lane, Frostproof (Munoz-Delgado’s residence).  Inside the residence, detectives located five firearms, two of which were reported stolen from Highlands County; approximately $2,000.00 is U.S. currency, drug paraphernalia, and business ledgers
  detailing Munoz-Delgado’s transactions. (The guns located were: two AR15s, a 12-guage Kel-Tec rifle, a 22 Marlin rifle, and a Russell 22 – the stolen guns were the Kel-Tec and one of the ARs.)
• 2000 West Frostproof Road, Frostproof; a property Munoz-Delgado referred to as “the Ranch.” Detectives located two water coolers buried in the ground, one of which contained two kilograms of methamphetamine ICE – the other contained approximately
  16 ounces of methamphetamine ICE for a total weight of 2.551 kilograms or 5.9 pounds.
• 2942 Chuck Wagon Way, Lake Wales – the residence of Tamara Smith where a small amount of Meth was located.  Smith had left the county prior to the search warrant – she has an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

During the course of this investigation Kevin Brown was positively identified as mid-level methamphetamine dealer being supplied by Munoz-Delgado.  Brown has a long criminal history to include domestic battery, possession of methamphetamine, burglary, larceny failure to appear, vehicle theft, weapons possession, cocaine possession, and carrying concealed firearm. Detectives learned Munoz-Delgado had been providing Brown with pound quantities of methamphetamine each week and up to several times a week. Brown has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Detectives traveled to Dallas, and working with the Dallas DEA Taskforce Group 1, conducted warrant arrests in which
Flores and Ledesma were taken into custody.  Flores was located at her residence where detectives seized $14,000 in U. S. Currency.

Castro and Medellin ultimately surrendered to Dallas authorities.  All four Texas suspects are awaiting extradition to Polk County.

The investigation is ongoing.

Previous Criminal Arrests for Suspects:

Munoz-Delgado – five previous felony arrest charges and 1 misdemeanor charge from 2009.
Munoz-Delgado was arrested in April 2009 charged with Armed Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine under an unrelated 2009 PCSO case.  After receiving a plea deal and serving approximately one year in prison, Munoz-Delgado was released in October 2010, and deported to Mexico

Willis Bullard IV – 23 previous felony arrest charges, 12 misdemeanor charges, and one failure to appear.
Bullard has been in state prison three times.  Beginning in 2003, Bullard has been charged with crimes such as: Possession of Short Barreled Gun, VOP, Dealing in Stolen Property, Smuggle into Detention Facility (Highlands County), Tamper/Fabricate Evidence, Maintaining Vehicle/Structure/Dwelling for Drug Use, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Resisting, and multiple charges of Possession of Drugs-Methamphetamine-Amphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Kevin Brown – 37 previous felony arrests, 28 misdemeanor charges, and 11 Failure to Appear charges.
Brown has been in state prison 5 times.  Beginning in 1996, Brown has been charged with crimes such as Domestic Violence Battery, Burglary, Larceny, DWLSR, Grand Theft, Resisting, Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Burglary with Assault or Battery, Failure to Appear, multiple VOPs, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, DUI, and multiple charges of Methamphetamine Possession and Paraphernalia Possession charges.

Tamara Smith – 7 previous felony charges, and 10 misdemeanor charges.  Beginning in 1989,
Smith has been charged with crimes such as Fraudulently Obtaining Property, Battery Domestic Violence, Aggravated Assault, DWLSR, Disorderly Conduct (Fighting), VOP, and multiple Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamine charges.

Frostproof Man & Others Charged With Trafficking In Methamphetamine 6.7 Pounds Seized 

James Scott Jackson, 36, of Springfield is currently being held in the Howell County Public Safety Center in West Plains on a $20,000 corporate surety or 10 percent cash bond after reportedly leading officers on a multi-county pursuit Dec. 8. The pursuit reportedly ended in Ozark County near Dora with Jackson ramming his car into a Missouri State Highway Patrol  vehicle and then yelling for the officers to shoot him.

Jackson faces a class D felony charge of resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, creating a substantial risk of injury or death to any person in Howell County, and the class B felony of assault to a law enforcement officer, the class C felony of possession of methamphetamine and a class D felony of resisting a lawful stop in Ozark County.

According to the probable cause statement filed in the Ozark County case, prepared by Capt. Jared Peterman of the Howell County Sheriff’s Department, MSHP troopers engaged in a pursuit with a white Lexus SUV with no license plate driven by Jackson southbound on US Highway 63 just north of West Plains. Deputies with the Howell County Sheriff’s Department joined the pursuit, which continued onto US Highway 160 west. The vehicle continued to attempt to evade officers by traveling down State Route MM onto Route K and Route KK and then crossing into Ozark County onto State Route H, traveling north toward Dora. The statement says the vehicle operator often drove on the wrong side of the roadway during the chase.

When the vehicle began to slow to a stop just south  of the intersection of Highways H and 181, Peterman drove his patrol car around the vehicle and stopped in front of it in an attempt to end the pursuit. Jackson reportedly drove the Lexus into the patrol car’s passenger rear door, placing the officer in apprehension of physical injury.

According to the probable cause statement, Howell County Lt. Long and Investigator Riley approached the suspect vehicle and attempted to remove Jackson’s passenger, Mary Carr Banning. Howell County Deputy Thompson and Ozark County Deputy Winson Colins approached the driver, later identified as Jackson, and told the man to raise his hands. Jackson reportedly resisted arrest by fighting with the officers who were attempting to take him into custody. He also yelled at officers to shoot him, the statement says. Two officers deployed tasers in an attempt to subdue Jackson, and he was arrested. After the arrest, officers were made aware that Jackson had two arrest warrants from Greene County. One warrant was for possession of a controlled substance and the second warrant was a parole violation.

Banning, Jackson’s passenger, was read her Miranda rights and detained for questioning. Banning reportedly told officers that the Lexus SUV belonged to her, and she had never met Jackson before that day. Banning said Jackson told her he would pay her $100 to use her car to come from West Plains to Spring-field. She reportedly admitted to having a previously expired temporary tag from Georgia on the vehicle.

Banning allowed officers to search her vehicle, and a glass smoking device with residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine was found between the seat and door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. In the driver’s side door panel of the Lexus, a hypodermic needle was also found, the statement says. In the center console, small crystal shards were found that also field tested positive for methamphetamine. The statement says it appeared that the methamphetamine was stashed in the console, and water was poured on top of it in an apparent attempt to destroy the substance.

Banning and Jackson were both asked about the substance, and they both said the methamphetamine belonged to the other person.

Online records indicate Jackson arraigned Dec. 13 by Circuit Judge Truman Wiles. West Plains defense attorney Jared Leslie entered his appearance in the case on Monday, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled in Howell County for Jan. 6, 2017. After the Howell County case is complete, Jackson will be transferred to Ozark County to face charges here.

The passenger, Mary Banning, has been charged with the class C felony of possession of methamphetamine in Ozark County. She was originally arrested on a warrant with a $5,000 cash-only bond on Dec. 8. She was arraigned by Associate Judge Cynthia MacPherson on  Dec. 13. The public defender was appointed in her case, and she was released under the supervision of Court Probationary Services. A non-compliance report was filed Dec. 16, and a capias warrant with no bond was issued Monday.

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