Another drug bust

<font size="3">11 people charged in latest sweep</font>

<b>By Christin Coyne</b><br><a href="mailto:ccoyne@mineralwellsindex.com">ccoyne@mineralwellsindex.com</a>

PALO PINTO – Four women and six men were arraigned Wednesday afternoon after a morning round up of Palo Pinto County residents recently indicted for dealing illegal drugs.

All are accused of delivering narcotics or marijuana during undercover buys by the City-County Narcotics Unit.

“We [arrested] everybody we had indictments for,” Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer said. “Everybody was taken into custody without incident.”

Of the 11 people named recently named in sealed indictments from a Palo Pinto Grand Jury, one man, Sammie Walker III, was already being held in the Palo Pinto jail for possession of a controlled substance and another man, John Paul Lewis Jr., is currently being held in Eastland County on a separate charge, according to Mercer.

Augustine Meza, accused of delivering methamphetamine, reportedly turned himself in at the Mineral Wells Police Department when he heard he was wanted and Mallory Meeks, also accused of delivering methamphetamine, reportedly turned herself in at the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Jay Hutchens of CCNU said the arrests were a result of an eight-month investigation that is ongoing.

Some cases were connected to the 26 drug-related arrests in September, according to Hutchens, though they were all separate cases.

“If we haven’t already got you, we will,” Hutchens said to those continuing to sell drugs in the Mineral Wells area.

Law enforcement visited around eight houses in Mineral Wells and one in Graford during the raids, which occurred between 6:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday.

About 3 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were reportedly seized during the arrests, Mercer said.

Though CCNU worked the main investigation, they were assisted by the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral Wells Police Department, Pct. 5 Constable Gary Morris, Pct. 2 Constable Marc Moon, Department of Public Safety Narcotics Service and Highway Patrol.

Hutchens said the investigation was helped by information from concerned citizens.

“We appreciate that and [hope that] continues,” Hutchens said.

Tips from concerned neighbors often allows them to keep track of who is dealing drugs where, according to Hutchens. “A lot move around every month.”

“It’s certainly a positive step in the drug war,” Mercer said, though he added it would continue to be an ongoing situation.

“Some people are already cooked,” Mercer said, referring to cases they hope will soon receive an indictment. “There’s more to come.”

“I’m proud it went as well as it did. We got 100 percent,” Mercer said. “Now they can face a jury of Palo Pinto County citizens.”

Bonds, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, were also set Wednesday afternoon by District Judge Jerry Ray.

Those arrested include:

• Sammie Walker III, 37, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams, a second degree felony punishable by between 2 years and 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

• Samantha Couch, 22, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Theresa Johnson, 45, of Mineral Wells, was indicted on two counts of delivery of marijuana, more than one-quarter ounce, less than 5 pounds, in a drug-free zone, a third degree felony punishable by between 2 years and 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

• Johnna K. Sims, 25, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Justin Pender, 21, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Levi McClure, 21, of Graford, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Shawn Bonner, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of cocaine, less than 1 gram, a state jail felony punishable by between 180 days and 2 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

• Augustine Meza, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Michael Allison, of Mineral Wells, was indicted for delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

• Mallory Meeks, of Mineral Wells, was indicted on two counts of delivery of methamphetamine, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.

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