Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

13 arrested in Gurdon drug sweep Friday

After an extensive investigation by the Gurdon Police Department, Group 6 Narcotics Task Force and the Clark County Sheriffs Office, 13 Gurdon residents were arrested Friday in one of Gurdon's largest drug busts yet.

According to City Marshall, Don Childers, officers began the sting at around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. All Gurdon Police officer's were involved in the operation as well as officers from the Arkadelphia Police Department, Clark County Sheriff's office, Group Six Narcotics, Arkansas State Police, the ASP helicopter and K-9 Unit.

Officers surrounded houses at 113 Rhodes Street, 805 South 5th Street, 203 Kansas Road and the corner of 5th Street and 53 highway, all at the same times in hopes of arresting as many people as possible before the word got around about the officers presence.

At the 113 Rhodes Street residence officers kicked in the door to find, Samson Kadiri Jr., also known as "Smurf", 19, not in the house. Kadiri was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, namely crack cocaine, which is a Class Y felony. Kadiri turned himself in Sunday evening.

Officer's entering the residence at 805 South 5th Street found 21-year-old Demond L. Beasley, who was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana. These substances were found on Beasley at the time of his arrest.

A half pound of marijuana and several "rocks" of crack cocaine were found at the 203 Kansas Road residence along with other drug paraphernalia.

Jason Gulley, 25, was arrested at his home where officers searched and found no drugs.

Gulley however, was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and maintaining a drug premises in a Drug Free Zone. Which means Gulley was allegedly selling drugs in an area within 1,000 feet of a school, church or day care facility.

Dwand "D.D." Sheppard, 24, of 413 Lockhart, Gurdon, was arrested at a clothing store on Main Street in Gurdon.

Sheppard is apparently a partner in the store and was allegedly using it to traffic drugs.

Sheppard was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana, and delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone.

Several other residents were picked up on the street or around town. Those include: Tiffany L. Haynie, 18, 2212 Hwy. 53 North. Charged with delivery of a counterfeit controlled substance and using another person's property to facilitate certain crimes.

Raymond L. Welch Jr., 25, 211 South 3rd, charged with delivery of a controlled substance cocaine and delivery of a controlled substance marijuana.

Gregory L. Marks, 19, 1307 Dogwood, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana, and two counts of delivering a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone.

Marks was also a partner in the KMG clothing store with Sheppard. Marks' car was also seized in the raid.

Jermaine Lawson, 26, 701 East Miller, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana, and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone.

Kevin D. Beasley, 22, 1003 Old Whelen Road, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone and maintaining a drug premises in a Drug Free Zone.

Lorian Green, 39, 211 South 3rd, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, and delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone.

Herman L. Gulley, Jr., 42, 304 Plum St., charged with delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, and delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free Zone.

Raymond Green, Jr., 41, 309 East Miller, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine.

Chauncey Charles, 22, Lindon Street, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana.

Friday's raid was a result of a six-month long investigation by the aforementioned law enforcement agencies.

City Marshall, Don Childers said, "We have been working on this for awhile. My hope is that the people living in these areas and in Gurdon will feel safer on the streets. We have gotten the dealers and now we plan to clean up the streets from trash."

Childers said he had received several requests to do something about the number of people wandering these particular streets at all hours of the night and day.

Childers said he has handled part of the problem and plans to use a program he started to use people owing the city fines to pick up trash and help clean up Gurdon.

Clark County Sheriff, Troy Tucker said, "I am certain by making these arrest we have made a great impact on the drug use in Gurdon."

In all 27 charges were filed on 17 different people. At this time 13 of the charged have been picked up or turned themselves in.

Those being charged with delivery of cocaine are being charged with a class Y felony. A class Y felony is 10-40 years or life imprisonment.

A class C felony is no less than four years and no more than 10 years imprisonment or a fine of $25,000.

People charged with delivering marijuana are charged with a class C felony.

Delivering drugs within a Drug Free Zone is a class B felony and serves a time of no less than 10 years imprisonment and no more than 40 years to life. It can also charge a fine of no more than $25,000.

All arrested were to be arraigned at their first appearance before Judge John Thomas Monday, January 14.