Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

One Busted In Raid

A 33-year-old Hope man was arrested Friday afternoon on drug charges.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office, working with officers with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, raided the home of Gary L. Morrison, finding drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines developed information drugs were being sold from a mobile home on West Walnut St.

He obtained a warrant from Municipal Judge Barry Barber Friday, and the raid was on at 1:45 p.m.

The effort was coordinated with Vines and Jim Westmoreland, criminal investigator with the Prescott Police Department and NCSO, hitting the front door, while other officers covered the two back doors.

Vines identified officers as he and Westmoreland knocked in the front door. As the door caved in, the suspect fled to a bathroom, where Vines caught him trying to flush evidence down the toilet.

Morrison was brought to the kitchen, where he was handcuffed and had his Miranda rights read to him.

Deputy Wayne Kisselburg brought in his canine companion, Narco, the county's drug dog, to give the place the once over. Narco "hit" on a dresser drawer in a back bedroom, but officers could only find residue.

Several "dime bags" of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana were found already encased in plastic bags on a counter.

Officers secured the area and took the suspect to the NCSO, where he was booked and jailed. Morrison has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Those involved in the raid along with Vines, Westmoreland, Kisselburg and Narco, were deputies Wally Hulan and Roy Frazier and AG&FC officers Bill VanScoy and Rick Frazier.

"This is more in our continuing effort in the fight against drugs in this community and county," Vines said.

In other news, Harold Barnett Jr., 26, of Prescott, was arrested Thursday, April 4 on charges of sexual abuse in the first degree.

The arrest was made following an investigation by the NCSO and Arkansas State Police Sex Crimes Unit.

Barnett has been released on a $10,000 bond.

James Dickson, 25, of Prescott, was arrested Thursday afternoon also on charges of theft by receiving of a firearm.

Westmoreland said officers received information Dickson had a stolen .38-caliber revolver, and found the weapon in his possession.

The weapon was reported stolen sometime in Dec. 1995.

A third man was arrested Thursday as well. Nicholas Ferguson, 35, was charged with forgery and cashing a stolen check.

According to Westmoreland, Ferguson attempted to cash a check stolen from the Broadway Hotel and Restaurant.

He made his first appearance in court Monday, April 8.