Operation Strikeout suspects have day in court
Fifteen people targeted in Operation Strikeout entered not guilty pleas during arraignment after being charged with trafficking narcotics ranging from marijuana and cocaine to methamphetamine and prescription pills.
The arraignments before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley came after indictments were rendered by the Warren County grand jury against 28 suspected drug traffickers. To this point, 19 have been taken into custody, leaving nine still at-large.
The indictments and arraignments come following an eight-month undercover drug-buying operation conducted by local and state lawmen. The suspects were reportedly caught on tape making the drug deals with the undercover agent. Conviction rates in drug cases made of drug transactions monitored and recorded by lawmen are over 90 percent in local cases over the past 10 years.
Most of those in custody were caught the opening day of the roundup as officers fanned out around the community hoping to catch the suspects by surprise.
?Once these things start, the phones start ringing and folks have a habit of disappearing for a while,? said Sheriff Jackie Matheny, noting it sometimes takes a while to round up those not caught on opening day since they are tipped off and given time to hide out.
Those entering not guilty pleas before Judge Stanley recently included Luke Ross on the charge of distribution of marijuana; Terry Flores, delivery of cocaine; Julius Gipson, delivery of Oxycodone and Dihydrocodeinone; Jason Madewell, delivery of marijuana; Jerry Simmons, delivery of cocaine over .5 grams; Jerry Lynn Simmons and Kenneth Kisamore, delivery of cocaine over .5 grams; Randy Kester and Crystal Muncey, delivery of meth and marijuana; Jamie Anderson, delivery of cocaine; Larry Locke Jr., and Hilda Manier, delivery of cocaine; Lisa Brown, delivery of cocaine; and Michael Wright Sr., delivery of cocaine over .5 grams.
Judge Stanley had those free on bond drug tested during their appearance at arraignment with Lisa Brown failing her test and having her bond revoked. Meanwhile, Charles Stewart, charged with delivery of cocaine over .5 grams, is in rehab and will be arraigned May 23.
David Gorden, charged with delivery of Dihydrocodeinone, was in St. Thomas Hospital and has been charged with failure to appear. Adrian Martinez, charged with delivery of cocaine over .5 grams and delivery of meth, will be arraigned May 23. Carlen Joe Kirby will be arraigned June 27 for delivery of Alprazolam and Dihydrocodeinone. Those who were arraigned will face plea or assignment dates Oct. 24.