Sting op results in several arrests

Last week, the Jack County Sheriff’s Office concluded a yearlong undercover narcotic investigation with 16 arrests and more forthcoming.

After receiving 10 sealed indictments earlier this month, deputies began a “bust out” in which they attempt to arrest those charged. By the end of the week, they had nine of those indicted.

Beginning Tuesday March 26 at about 7 p.m., deputies began making arrests in Jacksboro, Wizard Wells, Vineyard and Perrin.

Over a 24-hour operation deputies arrested 15 defendants — 14 for various felony-level offenses including those involving the sale and possession of illegal drugs and one misdemeanor marijuana possession. Another felony level arrest was made by Jacksboro Police Department over the weekend.

According to a press release from Sheriff Tom Spurlock, deputies spent countless hours of surveillance during their interaction with known drug dealers within Jack County. They conducted undercover operations while engaging in controlled purchases under their supervision and focused their investigation on people who sell and/or distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs.

Those arrested and their charges based on the sealed indictments were:

Charles Allen Tubb, 30, of Perrin, for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance; Melody Lanell Besselaar, 39, of Jacksboro, fraud — use or possession of identifying information; Morgan Lee Vanzandt, 20, of Justin, possession of a controlled substance; Rosalyn Rasheeda Green, 39, of Jacksboro, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; Kelby Dennis Ray, 28, of Jacksboro, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance; Samuel Paul Nichols, 35, of Jacksboro, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance; Lara Ann Nichols, 58, possession of a controlled substance; Jessica Dawn Mitchell, 31, of Jacksboro, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance; and Randy Ben Thorn, 33, of Jacksboro, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.

Others arrested during the round-up include Jennifer Renne Nunley, 32, and Douglas Worthington, 36, both of Wizard Wells. Spurlock said they were arrested on warrants for abandoning or endangering a child in which the child tested positive for methamphetamine.

Earl Wayne May, 50, of Vineyard, was arrested for a felony parole violation. He was at the residence of another defendant being arrested.

Also, during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 27, the Jack County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics search warrant at 103 E. Turner St. in Perrin seizing money, guns, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and opiates. 

As part of the overnight warrant operation, deputies arrived at the residence in an attempt to apprehend a felony suspect. As they surrounded the single-wide mobile home a white male opened the front door as the arrest team approached. A strong smell of burning marijuana was exiting the trailer. After a brief interview with the resident of the trailer, deputies secured the residence and prepared a written affidavit to obtain a search warrant. 

Based on the evidence presented, a warrant was granted by 271st District Court Judge Brock Smith.

Present at the residence and arrested for unauthorized acquisition or transfer of a financial instrument were Coby Hand, 36, of Perrin. Also arrested were Karen Michell Yocham, 56, and Edie Bright, 56, both of Perrin, for possession of a controlled substance. A 53-year-old Springtown woman was also arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

To read the complete article, see the April 3 edition of the Herald-Gazette.