FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
Corinth PD makes drug sweep
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
Heavily armed officers in black fatigues pour out of the Corinth Police Department's Special Response Team vehicle and in less than a minute the radio crackles with the call of "all clear" as the officers report all potential threats have been cleared from the targeted apartment. A short time later word comes down that the suspect has been taken into custody in another nearby apartment and the team members are ready to return to the police department and prepare for the remainder of the day.
The service of a no-knock search warrant and arrest warrant at the 1600 Pace Drive Apartment No. 36 residence of 29-year-old Tyrone Coleman marked the start of a busy morning for Corinth police as they kicked off a roundup that would end with seven suspects arrested on felony drug charges by day's end.
CPD Chief David Lancaster said Thursday's series of arrests represents the culmination of more than three months of investigation by his department's investigators and agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Following the service of the search warrant the SRT members returned to the department and split into teams to serve the remaining arrest warrants.
Those arrested in the round up included Coleman who was charged with three counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine and one count sale of a false representation of a controlled substance; Carlton Wood, 32, of 1302A Tate Street charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine; Lagene Conner, 23, of 703B South Young Street, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine; Frederick McGaha, 36, of 216 North Johns Street, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine; Robert Crum Jr., 32, of 1312 Wood Street, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine; Rodney Wooden, 23, of 1215 Dickey Street, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine; and Marcus Sorrell, 25, of 1306 Proper Street, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance-cocaine. All were charged in separate, unrelated cases.
Bond had not been set for the suspects Thursday afternoon, but Crum, Wooden and Sorrell each had holds placed on them by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Lancaster said he was extremely pleased with the work of the officers and thankful the operation was conducted safely for all involved.
CPD Detective Captain Ralph Dance said the arrests were all from separate cases and evidence in each case showed the suspects had been involved in multiple drug sales during the past three months. He said they're grateful for all those in the community who called in tips and provided information on unusual traffic patterns or other evidence of drug activity that helped spark investigations.
Lancaster said the use of the SRT team allowed them to serve the warrants while protecting the safety of officers and the public. He said the capabilities of the team allow them to respond effectively to a variety of serious situations such as barricaded subjects, hostage situations and others.
The team was formed in March 2006 and has steadily upgraded its equipment and capabilities through extensive training. All members are regular officers who volunteer their time to participate in the training and keep their skills sharp.
Officials break ground
for justice center
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
Corinth and Alcorn County officials celebrated a new era of cooperation Thursday as ground was officially broken on the county's new $17.1 million jail and justice center.
The state of the art facility is being constructed on South Harper Road between the National Guard Armory and the Juvenile Detention Center by Flintco Inc. of Oklahoma City. It includes a 308-bed segment to house state inmates as a Mississippi Department of Corrections Regional Jail, 290 beds for city and county prisoners and offices for the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department, Corinth Police Department, Corinth Alcorn County E-911, Alcorn County Emergency Management, Alcorn County Justice Court and Corinth Municipal Court.
Officials praised the project as an example of the positive things that can happen when the city and county work together.
"This project was a vision of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and with the help of the City of Corinth it's become a reality," said Board of Supervisors President Gary Ross.
Corinth Police Chief David Lancaster said he's looking forward to moving into the complex when work is completed and believes moving his department and the sheriff's department closer together and consolidating law enforcement and court functions in a single location will pay big dividends for the citizens of the area.
"We look forward to getting into it. It will be a good day for Corinth and Alcorn County," he said. Sheriff Charles Rinehart echoed Lancaster's sentiments, saying the departments have always worked closely together and he looks forward to an even closer relationship in the future.
"I think this is a good opportunity for all of us to work together," said Rinehart. Second District Supervisor Jeff Patterson said the goal of the planning effort has been to create a facility that will serve the community far into the future.
"This is a vision," said Patterson. "It's a huge vision. It's a vision that's going to last Corinth and Alcorn County the next 20 to 30 years." Corinth Mayor Jerry Latch praised all those involved in the project for their dedication in reaching the long-awaited goal of beginning work. "It's just a great day for Corinth and Alcorn County to join in a partnership on something that's long past due," he said.
Construction is expected to take between 16 and 18 months to complete. The center is being financed through a bond issue to be funded by money generated through the county's contract with MDOC to operate the regional jail, along with funds from a purchase and lease agreement between the city and county for use of the city's portion of the center and the housing of city inmates.
Bad Boys
Photo by Brant Sappington
Members of the Corinth Police Department Special Response Team move
in on an
apartment in the Pace Terrace subdivision
while serving a search warrant
Thursday morning.
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