MPD on a winning streak

Marion Police net eight drug arrests in one-week stretch

ralphhardin@gmail.com When you’re hot, you’re hot, and the Marion Police Department has had a run of success in getting drugs and drug-related law-breakers off the city streets.

From Sunday, April 28 to Saturday, May 4, the Marion Police Department made eight drug arrests, including a number of felonies. According to Marion Police Detective Paul Turney, the arrests were not part of a focused effort but rather all in a day’s (or a week’s) work.

“Just good police work,” said Det. Turney. “Just our officers out on patrol, doing their jobs well. We were able to get some of these people in custody and get some of the drugs off the streets of Marion.”

In most cases, the arrests came after routine traffic stops. On April 28, Officer John Dexter pulled Nakita Lewis over for running a stop sign. Lewis’s driver’s license turned out to be suspended over a previous charge. Troubles continued to mount for Lewis as he was found to be in possession of two ounces of marijuana. He was arrest- ed on three misdemeanor charges.

In another arrest, the charges again stemmed from a minor moving violation. On May 2, Michael Hindman was pulled over by Officer Juan Perez on Highway 64 for driving with a mangled, expired drive-out tag. After making the stop, Perez discovered that Hindman’s license was suspended, he had no proof of insurance, and no tags, and he was placed into custody. After being taken to the Crittenden County Jail for processing, Hindman was found to be in possession of half a gram of methamphetamine.

“That happens a lot,” said Turney. “They just don’t think they’ll get caught…

don’t think they’ll get pulled over.”

And in one case, it was simple but effective observation by one officer that resulted in five arrests.

Last Friday night, Officer Erick Clemmson was on duty, making a patrol of Par Drive when he picked up “the strong odor of marijuana.”

Clemmson eventually traced the source of the smell to a parked Nissan Altima, where he found a group of young black males “attempting to evade my detection,” one of whom was a juvenile.

After some initial attempts to flee and evade capture, Clemmson was able to detain the suspects and call for assistance. A search turned up numerous illegal substances, and multiple charges were filed, including felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession with purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“You know, with a juvenile being involved,” said Turney, “you want to just sit him down and say, ‘Look what you’re doing.

Look how you’re messing up your future.’ These kids need to think about who they are choosing to associate themselves with and the decisions they’re making.”

In addition to the unidentified minor arrested in that case, also arrested were Justin Boatman, 24; Donte Garrett, 21; Daylon Witt, 21; and Keyshawn Woods, 18, a Marion High School senior and basketball player.

Also arrested during the week was Timothy Davis, 35, of Marion, on felony charges of possession of marijuana and methamphetamine.

Turney showed off a sample of some of the pills confiscated during the arrests, including narcotics that looked like child’s candy.

“You see these all the time,” he said, holding a picture of what might be easily mistaken for Sweet-Tarts or some other treat.

“Looks like Hello Kitty, right? We haven’t had these tested yet, but this one is probably ecstasy.”

The MPD, Turney said, remains committed to protecting and serving the people of Marion. Turney recently completed a coldcase course, part of the department’s continuing professional development.

This Thursday, the department will be hosting another professional development seminar.

“This one’s on Suicide Prevention,” said Turney.

“It’s open to all local and regional law enforcement, to help them deal with individuals who may be going through PTSD or other stress and trauma. It’s six hours and it’s something we want all of our staff to be trained in, so that’s something that’s important to the Chief (Marion Police Chief Gary Kelley). We’re always working on getting better at what we do here.”