It was “bon voyage” for those arrested in “Operation JohnVoyage” this weekend as they headed to the Marion County Jail.
The multi-month investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office targeted drug sellers and netted 25 total arrests on Saturday.
Capt. Pete Williams with the Sheriff’s Office said the investigation took them all over the city and county making arrests. The sheriff’s office also had assistance from both county constables and the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
“I am very pleased with the numbers. We still have several to get,” Williams said.
Williams said at one address, 424 Sunset Drive, a search warrant was executed and law enforcement officers seized numerous narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, prescription drugs and marinol (a pill form of marijuana).
At one of the sites, the owners surrendered a dog prior to it being seized. According to the owners, one of the dog’s front legs was broken by a Weedeater and it was infected. Williams said the dog is now receiving medical care.
The name “Operation JohnVoyage” is in honor of Deputy John Vaughn, who has been called to active duty and is set to be deployed in March. This was his last operation with the department.
Williams said it is important to keep the drug sellers on their toes. Eventually, he said, they are going to get caught.
“We’re hustling just like they are hustling,” Williams said.
Williams said all arrests were made without incident. At press time, they are still some suspects at large but one turned themself in Tuesday morning and a second one was planning to sometime on Tuesday.
Those initially arrested on drug charges included:
Billy Earl Blansett, 65, of Sumrall: two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance with 1,500 feet of a school or church and two counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Latasha Lynn Robbins, 43, of Sumrall: sale of transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Johnny Dustin Jerkins, 35, of Foxworth: sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Larry Level Blansett, 56, of Columbia: sale or transfer of a controlled substance/child endangerment, sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Hope Rachael Hunt, 33, of Columbia: sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church;
Isaac Lee Brown, 64, of Columbia: sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church;
Brysun Lamar Keys, 33, of Columbia: two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church;
Angela Lenoir Blansett, 44, of Columbia: two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Racheal Ann Harris, 36, of Columbia: two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Vanessa Lynn Sistrunk, 37, of Kokomo: two count of sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and two counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Susan Kay Powell, 68, of Columbia: four counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute;
Michael Douglas Redmond, 40, of Columbia: two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church and conspiracy to sell or transfer a controlled substance;
Robert Edward Pyke, 61, of Foxworth: possession of a controlled substance (heroin);
Raymond Elduren Broom, 54, of Columbia: possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine);
Dion Jefferson, 27, of Columbia: possession of a controlled substance (marijuana);
Paul Stewart Sims, 52, of Columbia: possession of a controlled substance (synethetic cannabinoid);
Gregory Olensa Hampton, 47, of Columbia: possession of a controlled substance (synthetic cannabinoid).
