Complaint of drug activity leads to two arrests
MT. STAR – A complaint about possible drug activity at a residence in the Mt. Star community led to the arrest of two Franklin County residents on drug charges, officials said.
Demarcus Smith, 33, 4109 Franklin 56, Russellville; and Deidra K. Sears, 31, 4109 Franklin 56, Russellville were both charged with first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.
Sears was additionally charged with third-degree escape.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, the Franklin County Drug Unit received complaints that Smith and Sears were distributing drugs out of their residence on Franklin 56 in Mt. Star.
Oliver said officers with the drug unit went to the residence Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to follow up on the complaints.
When they arrived at the residence, Oliver said they found Smith and Sears who voluntarily turned over 1.5 ounces of marijuana when questioned about the drug distribution allegations.
Oliver said after they continued questioning Smith and Sears, they became irate and made threats against the officers who were inside the home so they were both taken into custody.
“While the officers were waiting on a search warrant to be able to check the rest of the home for any illegal substances and a transport vehicle to take Sears and Smith to the jail, Deidra Sears escaped on the front down and started running down Highway 56,” Oliver said. “While she was running, officers saw her drop a large baggy that appeared to contain more drugs.
“She was apprehended several yards down the road and officers recovered the baggy that contained 13.5 grams of crack cocaine.”
Oliver said after both defendants were secured, agents from the Franklin County Drug Unit, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Russellville Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office executed the search warrant and discovered additional marijuana, multiple types of hydrocodone pills, two sets of scales and several guns.
Both Sears and Smith have been released from custody on $6,000 bonds each.
