Staff Report

MT. VERNON — At least 17 residents were arrested Wednesday on drug-related warrants as police held a day-long warrant sweep on Wednesday.

The sweep was conducted by the Mt. Vernon Police/Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division. Warrants were issued after about eight months of ongoing investigations by the division. In addition to the 36 warrants executed Wednesday, there have been 20 additional warrants issued on drug-related offenses during the last two months, according to information released by Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Mendenall.

“Including the Feb. 26, 2008, warrant sweep, this brings the total number of drug offenders investigated and warrants being issued for, close to 100 offenders,” Mendenall stated in an official release. “The MVPD/JCSO Narcotics Division has also seen an additional 14 persons indicted on Federal drug related charges since January 2008.”

In Wednesday’s sweep, three people were wanted on cannabis-related charges; one was wanted on drug equipment charges; 25 people were wanted on cocaine or crack cocaine charges; four were wanted on methamphetamine charges; and three were wanted on heroin charges.

The following individuals were arrested in Wednesday’s sweep:

— Ivory Simmons, 38, of the 300 block of South 19th Street, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Moenkie Sanders, 33, of the 500 block of South 18th Street, on one count of possession of 30 to 500 grams of cannabis with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school;

— Travis Hayes, 18, of the 2000 block of Richview Road, on one count of possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis;

— Ronald Steele, 24, of the 400 block of South 18th Street, on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Gurley Stevenson, 39, of the 900 block of Cleveland, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Marcia Karnes, 52, of the 1400 block of Salem Road, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Stacy Ellis, 31, of the 200 block of Opdyke, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Rebecca Phillips, 40, of the 800 block of South 22nd Street, on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Raymond Harris, 43, of the 18400 block of East Hawk Road, on two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture;

— Larry Coultas, 55, Royal Inn, on two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture;

— Joe Beahringer, 25, of the 500 block of Liebengood Road, on one count of possession of a controlled substance;

— Louise Saine, 50, of the 1300 block of South 26th Street, on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Mary Puckett, 23, of the 1100 block of South 23rd Street, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Qwinton Shackleford, 17, of the 1800 block of Lamar, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church;

— Myron Barner, 24, of the 500 block of Grand, on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance — crack cocaine — within 1,000 feet of a church; and

— Brian Sledge, 30, of the 600 block of Oak, on one count of unlawful delivery of heroin.

Investigations into drug-related offenses in the city and county are continuing. The public is reminded to contact the narcotics unit at 242-6800 or the Jefferson County Crimestoppers at 242-8477 with information on suspicious activity they may observe.