71 Arrested As Deputies Crack Down On Meth (With Photo Gallery)

March 28, 2012

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has made 71 meth-related arrests since late last year, including a handful of North Escambia area residents. And deputies are not done yet — they are looking for 13 more people on outstanding drug related warrants.

The investigation began in October 2011 after narcotics investigators began to receive increased complaints and information regarding meth activity in Santa Rosa County. according to Sheriff Wendell Hall.

Investigators began to target individuals that were purchasing large amounts of pseudoephedrine — one of the key components in making methamphetamines. The operation yielded 71 meth-related arrests as of Tuesday, plus 19 meth labs, 6 meth lab “dump sites”, 1 rolling meth lab in a vehicle and 791.4 grams of meth/meth oil with a street value of about $80,000.

For photos of one of the meth labs, click here.

Several of those arrested are from the North Escambia area. According to Santa Rosa County Jail records, they are:

  • Clifford Eugene Kennedy, Cantonment — possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance
  • Richard Paul Carpenter, Jay — producing marijuana
  • Jessie Herman Ridderbjelke, Jay — producing methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Thomas Collinsworth, Jr.,  formerly of Jay now living in Milton — possession methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Kevin Francis Malone, formerly of Jay now living in Milton — possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance
  • Kimberly Ann Grant, Brewton –  obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, three counts
  • David Franklin Farmer, Pensacola — trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of narcotic equipment
  • Amity Brianne Rogers, Pensacola — possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance
  • John David Holmes, Pensacola — sale of a controlled substance
  • James Allen McCoy, Pensacola — possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Last Friday, the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office conducted a warrants sweep with 19 of 32 targeted individuals arrested and two meth labs discovered. Deputies say they still have outstanding drug warrants for the arrest of the following 13 individuals:

  1. Meranda Anne Anderson
  2. Anthony Ray Barnes
  3. Glynn James Black
  4. Scott Allen Bosman
  5. Justin Allen Bowers
  6. Steven Raymond Byrd
  7. Brenda Kay Douglas
  8. David Wesley Johnson
  9. James Michael Measell
  10. Sara Megan Scott
  11. Jesse Jack Stephens
  12. Nathan Garret Stephens
  13. Charles Francis Teeter

Anyone with information about any of the 13 persons on the list above is asked to call Santa Rosa CrimeStoppers at (850) 437-STOP. Information that leads to a meth arrest means an automatic $500 reward.

For photos of one of the meth labs, click here.

Pictured: One of the meth labs discovered Friday by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.


Comments

12 Responses to “71 Arrested As Deputies Crack Down On Meth (With Photo Gallery)”

  1. Skye Applewhite on September 15th, 2021 12:50 am

    My mother was one of these… so thankful yall caught her

  2. ginger gunter on March 23rd, 2015 1:03 pm

    I’m a recovered addict – good job! Now if there were more Judges out there like Judge Terrel who made me realize my worth and helped myself and so many others stay off of drugs through the drug court program. Meth is a nasty , horrible drug that destroys families. I pray for Pensacola and also there is much concern about the heroin problem that is spinning out of control.

  3. RB on November 12th, 2013 4:24 pm

    Why can’t Escambia County Alabama have the same success as Escambia Florida for meth arrests? When will Escambia County Alabama begin its clean sweep program?

  4. Kosher Dave on March 30th, 2012 2:37 pm

    Sweet! Glad to see a reward for turning them in.

  5. hk on March 29th, 2012 12:30 am

    This doesnt even put a dent in the total amount of meth in the area.Great they got a few people here and there and 781 grams but the average big time dealer can do 780 grams in a week or two or even in one transaction.They took about 2% off the streets probably.Ive known people who were in the business years ago 80,000 wasnt nothing.I can imagine how it has gotten even bigger in 13+ years.The drug is horrible and im glad they are getting it off the street but just saying this is hardly a significant bust imo.

  6. baebae on March 28th, 2012 9:01 pm

    There are not enough jails in America to hold everyone doing this same illegal activity…Not nearly enough….its terrible whats happening to the youth of this country..we better pray….that is what we need to do

  7. walnut hill on March 28th, 2012 8:26 pm

    Now since they got these people they need to let them stay in jail and not give them a pat on the back and turn them loose where they can go back to making it, selling it, and using it. Because it seems like that’s what the system does. And people wonder why there is some much out there. It is really a sham how these people let a drug take over there life.

  8. 429SCJ on March 28th, 2012 4:34 pm

    A nasty drug, for nasty idiots.

  9. PappaJ on March 28th, 2012 2:12 pm

    Can you tell it is election time again? Last time around it was pot growers. How come it takes 4 years to round up these thugs when they are making it or growing it all around all year long?

    Never the less, Good Job!!!!!! to the guys Deputies who are doing the real work in busting these operations. The more you shut down the better. Don’t stop with those few. There are plenty more to bust!

  10. Bub on March 28th, 2012 10:23 am

    It looks like it may have started out as an effort to recycle and find new uses for old, plastic drink bottles…then it took a turn for the worse.

  11. retired po po on March 28th, 2012 9:58 am

    Way to go SRSO. I know several people who work at this agency and they all say it is a great place to work . Keep it going, you may need to come to Flomaton and show them how to get it off the streets.

  12. Jane on March 28th, 2012 6:36 am

    Good job! Meth is a very bad drug and usually leads to more crimes being committed to finance the habit.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News