Today a joint effort led by Third Judicial District Drug Task Force agents, code-named “Operation Ice House,†pursued approximately 26 suspects for Delivery of a Controlled Substance including Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Pharmaceuticals. The roundup generated approximately 25 arrests in several counties but was focused in Newport and Jackson County.
Multiples agencies and at least 43 law enforcement officers took part in the roundup. The participating agencies were as follows:
The Third Judicial District Drug Task Force Arkansas State Police
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Newport Police Department
Arkansas Community Corrections Army National Guard
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Alcoholic Beverage Control
Drug Enforcement Administration
The investigation leading to these arrests was the result of over one year of undercover work performed by the Third Judicial District Drug Task Force. The DTF is overseen by the Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s office as well as the Sheriffs of the Third District.
Defendants in custody include:
Walter Leroy Nevels, 49, of Newport. Two counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.
Steven Lewis Nevels, 39, of Newport. Two counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, Class C felonies.
Joshua Wade Kinard, 39, of Newport. Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Hydrocodone, a Class C felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Oxycodone.
Michael Scott Franks, 26, of Newport. Two counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.
Kathleen Madden, 49, of Newport. Two counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.
Jeremy Curtis Cooper, 39, of Newport. Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Hydrocodone, a Class C felony.
Linda White, 47, of Newark. Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.
James Raymond Canard, 41, of Newport. Two counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, Class C felonies.
Christy Shuntae Ellis, 40, of Diaz. Three counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, Class C felonies.
Angela Garcia, 37, of Batesville. Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.
Richard Lewayne Childress, 28, of Newport. Three counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, Class C felonies; Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Cocaine, a Class C felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Hydrocodone, a Class C felony; Delivery of a Controlled Substance; Alprazalam, a Class D felony.
Cecil P. Peel, 37, of Newport. Delivery of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine, a Class C felony.