Drug raid on county residence results in multiple charges
STEVEN MROSS
The Sentinel-Record
A local couple were arrested on multiple felony drug charges after Garland County sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant on their residence Thursday morning.
James Howard Overton, 50, and Stacy Marie Overton, 48, both of 5755 Park Ave., were taken into custody at their residence around noon and each charged with manufacturing of methamphetamines, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver and unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes, punishable by up to 20 years, and maintaining a drug premises, punishable by up to 10 years. James Howard was also charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, punishable by up to 10 years, possession of a firearm by certain persons and theft by receiving, each punishable by up to six years in prison. He also has a hold on him from Saline County. Both suspects remained in custody Monday in lieu of $50,000 bond and are set to appear Dec. 17 in Garland County District Court.
According to the affidavit, around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Garland County Tactical Response Team executed a search warrant for investigators on the Park Avenue residence where they located both suspects in the yard and, after securing a Fifth Wheel camper, shop, storage units and vehicles, they searched the premises.
Inside the shop they reportedly found a black box containing pill soak, red phosphorus, chemicals, glassware, coffee filters used to make meth, a gallon glass bottle containing a bi-layer of clear liquid on top of a dark liquid.
Located inside a metal trunk at the edge of the woods they found a backpack with multiple bags of plastic tubing and coffee filters. Inside the camper they found three small bags of suspected meth, approximately 2 grams, digital scales, three smoking devices, multiple Ziploc baggies, multiple pills and another bag of red phosphorus.
It was determined the property where the suspects were staying was being rented by them resulting in the unauthorized use charge.
Agents with the 18th Judicial East Drug Task Force responded to the scene and took over all drug-related evidence. The DTF is composed of officers with the GCSD, Hot Springs Police and Arkansas State Police.
