Four suspects from Forest were taken into custody with drugs last week at a safety checkpoint on Highway 16 West.
According to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark, the driver, Felipe Garcia Jr., 47, of 7742 Highway 35 North in Forest, was arrested for possessing a prohibited narcotic and paraphernalia.
The following passengers were arrested:
- Sherry Coonce, 39, 208 Havard Road, Forest, charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
- Ashley Moore Hanna, 41, 10464 Old Hillsboro Road, Forest, charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
- Titus White, 46, 88 Early Road, Forest, charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
Deputies detained all four people after they stopped a GMC Yukon driven by Garcia at the crossroads of Highway 16 West and Goat Ranch Road at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10.
Garcia was apparently acting strangely and telling deputies they were on their way to the casino. Clark stated that deputies detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed a pink bandana containing approximately 8.5 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine in a black purse belonging to Coonce.
Clark stated that Coonce is currently on parole for narcotics convictions made in another jurisdiction. Clark stated that his office had contacted the Mississippi Department of Corrections but had not heard back as of press time.
Garcia and White were arrested while attempting to dump a baggie containing somewhat more than 10 grams of meth and another baggie containing 2.5 grams of marijuana in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, according to Clark.
According to Clark, all four suspects remain at the Neshoba County Detention Center.
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