A coordinated two-month investigation targeting illegal drug activity in north-central Arkansas has led to the arrest of 21 individuals and the seizure of drugs and firearms, authorities announced Tuesday.
The effort, conducted by the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force in partnership with state, federal, and local law enforcement, aimed to disrupt drug distribution networks across Independence, Cleburne, Izard, Stone, and Fulton counties.
Commander Johnny Byler of the task force and Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith oversaw the operation, which included executing multiple search warrants and conducting numerous traffic stops throughout the region. According to officials, the operation resulted in the seizure of 1,472.2 grams of methamphetamine, 52 grams of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), 25 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and 15 firearms.
The suspects arrested face a range of felony charges, including delivery and possession of controlled substances, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, maintaining a drug premises, drug trafficking, manufacturing DMT, and introducing a controlled substance into the body of another person.
Authorities provided the following breakdown of those charged in the investigation:
**Independence County**: Walter Refrow, Quincy Cook, Tevin Dean, Shelby Chiaromonte, Gunter Miley, Paul Neal, Trina Plummer, and Christopher Coper. **Cleburne County**: Jeffery Helms, Dionne Duncan, Billy Ray Willis, Stephanie Hill, Fredrick Johnson, and Lauren Bogard. **Izard County**: Jeff Smith, Victoria Watts, and Daniel Keller. **Stone County**: Jonah Sanders, Dale Loyer, Lequita Huston, and Michael Wilson. **Fulton County**: Michael Jackson, Matthew Bradley, Brandon Brim, Amber Coyne, Michael Tilley, Jerry Edward, Michael Nails, and Janie Rollins.
The task force acknowledged the efforts of their partner agencies, which included the Arkansas State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the sheriff's offices and municipal police departments across the five counties.
Officials said the operation underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to combat illegal drug distribution and related violent crime in the region.