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Jan. 24, 2001 Journal Staff Report Six drug-related arrests were made Tuesday following a sting operation conducted by the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force. The sweep involved at least two undercover informants who would contact police when they thought they had found someone who would sell them methamphetamine or marijuana. Once wired by police, the informants would make the deal while under surveillance. Based on probable cause gained from the covert operations in December and January, warrants were issued Monday. Kenneth R. Tucker, Sarah R. Muncy, Michael C. Goodrich, Clark E. Watkins, Dale A. Kell and Diane Velasquez were arrested Tuesday and advised of charges in county court by Judge Christopher Leroi on Wednesday. Tucker, 50, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. Contacted by the informant, Tucker allegedly agreed to sell $200 worth of the drug. The two met in the Wal-Mart parking lot, where the informant allegedly made the deal while drug-task-force officers listened in a short distance away, according to police records. Muncy, 27, was also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. In that case, after the informant contacted Muncy, the informant was wired and given $250 to make the purchase, which allegedly went down in the Rust Trailer Park, according to police reports. Watkins, 40, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. During his arrest, the drug was allegedly found on him and possession charges were added. In Watkins’ case, the informant contacted him and then met Watkins at the IFA while wearing a wire. But Watkins never delivered any meth, allegedly telling the informant to "come up later. They’re making it right now," according to police reports. Goodrich, 21, faces charges of conspiring to sell marijuana. In his case, the informant reportedly set up the deal and drove to Goodrich’s residence with undercover task-force agent Matt Buffington. According to the report, Goodrich said he had to go to another house to pick up a $60, half-ounce bag of marijuana. He agreed to a ride with Buffington and the informant, but when they arrived at the residence no one was home, so Goodrich returned the $60 to the informant and then left. Kell, 48, was charged with distribution and possession of a Schedule II narcotic. He allegedly made a $110 deal with an informant on County Road 24. Diane Velasquez, 40, was also charged with allegedly conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, according to Sheriff Joey Chavez. "It was very successful and effective; this is what the drug task force does," said Chavez of the arrests. Possession of methamphetamine is a Class 4 felony. Distribution is considered a Class 3 felony.
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez
Journal. All rights reserved. |
