Policing plan credited for drug arrest

Deputy Sheriff Samantha Crenshaw, Sheriff Greg Capers and Sgt. Rodney Nash display the seized items the SO gathered following a traffic stop in Shepherd. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Times

SHEPHERD — San Jacinto County deputies made reality out of training, arresting two people on various charges and seizing more than $100,000 worth of methamphetamines.

Sheriff Greg Capers said the arrest is due to the policy of proactive policing the office recently instituted.

“Patrol vigilance is a term I like to use when describing the duties and responsibilities of our officers,” Capers said. 

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In this particular case, Deputy Samantha Crenshaw, along with field training officer Sgt. Rodney Nash, were on patrol on Thursday and noticed an older model light blue Buick sedan in the parking lot of McClain’s Market in Shepherd that had an unreadable temporary license plate.

The deputies stopped the vehicle, and as Crenshaw approached, she noticed 37-year-old Amber Ford of Ratcliff, who appeared very nervous and upset. Nash approached the passenger, 36-year-old Lanny Walton of Huntington. 

Further investigation showed that the temporary plate was invalid and the vehicle registration had expired in 2014. Additionally, an arrest warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon had been issued in Lufkin on Walton.

Based on the arrest warrant, the deputies searched the vehicle, an found approximately 2.83 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of more than $100,000, as well as a scale. Also, deputies found a loaded Glock 9 mm pistol that was later determined to have been stolen, and a 50 round Pro Max Drum magazine.

“The distribution of these life altering drugs into our community and beyond and a horrifying thought of a concealable semi-automatic handgun and a 50-round magazine is something that keeps my entire office on their toes,” Capers said.