NACOGDOCHES COUNTY (KYTX) --The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office has made 7 felony drug arrests during the course of the last two days while conducting sting operations in Nacogdoches County.
The first arrest came Tuesday evening while Investigators had been conducting surveillance on a subject that had been reported in dealing a high volume of crystal methamphetamine in Nacogdoches County. Sheriff investigators were able to track the suspect leaving a target in Nacogdoches County. Investigators followed the vehicle into the city of Nacogdoches and conducted a traffic stop at Mound and Main Street.
Investigators were able to obtain consent to search the motor vehicle which lead to the discovery of 8 grams of crystal methamphetamine that was concealed inside stuffed animals. Investigators also recovered needles that were hidden with the methamphetamine.
Iwanna Shoptaugh 52 years of age was arrested at the scene and transported to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office. She has been charged with possession of a controlled substance a 2nd felony. Bond was set at $15,000.00 dollars.
On Wednesday morning the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office conducted a search warrant on Elizabeth Street. Sheriff Investigators had been working an ongoing investigation in the distribution of crack cocaine in Nacogdoches County. During the investigation, deputies were able to identify where the narcotics were being distributed from.
Investigators were able to obtain probable cause for a search warrant of the residence. During the search of the residence investigators found 1 ounce of crack cocaine that was concealed inside the residence and some of it concealed inside a vehicle parked in front of the residence. Investigators also recovered one handgun that was hidden underneath the couch where one of the suspects was sitting. A small amount of marijuana, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.
Preston Powers 37 years of age, Jerry Johnson 50 years of age and Brieanca Mcgowen-Driver 21 years of age were all arrested at the scene and transported to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office. All three subjects were charged with Manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance a 1st felony.
Also on Wednesday morning the Nacogdoches County Sheriff office made contact with a Michael Garrett at Common Wealth Apartments. Investigators had received information that Garrett had been distributing narcotics in Nacogdoches County. Garrett has been the target of several ongoing investigations involving the distribution of narcotics.
Garrett 40 years of age was found to be in possession of 1 gram of methamphetamine at this residence and was arrested at the scene. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance a state jail felony and bond was set at $15,000.00 dollars.
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office also conducted a traffic stop on highway 59 North Thursday evening which has led to a large seizure of crystal methamphetamine that was found inside the vehicle. Deputies with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office conducted a traffic stop of a Chevrolet pickup for a traffic violation.
Upon contact with the driver, the deputy could smell the odor of burnt marijuana. The driver admitted to having previously smoked marijuana to the deputy. The deputy observed that both subjects in the vehicle were very nervous and obtained consent to search the motor vehicle. During the search the deputy found over 1 pound of crystal methamphetamine located inside of the vehicle.
Jason Shinall 45 years of age from Joaquin,Tx and Zachary Whitten 21 years of age from Grand Cain, La were both arrested for possession of a controlled substance a 1st felony. Both subjects have been booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.
The street value of the methamphetamine is $47,600.00 dollars. Sheriff Investigators believed that the methamphetamine was destined for Joaquin, Texas.
