16 Arrested in Morning Drug Roundup

According to Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office along with other local and state law enforcement agencies gathered this morning to arrest numerous defendants who were a part of several six month long investigations.

The investigations were led by Brown County Narcotics Investigator Carlyle Gover and Agent Billy Bloom with the West Central Texas Inter Local Crime Taskforce.  These investigations involved the delivery of methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, and prescription drugs.  The Brown County 35^th District Attorney’s Office presented these cases to the March Grand Jury and the Grand Jury returned 26 indictments related to these investigations on 21 defendants.

On Wednesday morning after law enforcement officers were briefed on the defendants’ whereabouts and the ongoing investigations, the officers divided up into arrest teams and began rounding up the defendants.  By 12:00 noon, law enforcement had arrested 15 of the defendants, as well one other person who was found to be in possession of methamphetamine at the location of a search warrant.

Officers conducted this search and arrest warrant in the 500 block of Victoria Street in Brownwood, Texas, at the residence of Michael Walls.  This is the fourth search warrant executed on residences of Michael Walls, during the course of this investigation.  Although Michael Walls was not located at this residence, Michael McCain was arrested at this residence for possession of methamphetamine that was located on him.  Officers with the Brownwood Police Department assisted by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Michael Walls and Jeannie Monk in Evant, Texas.  During their arrest, officers located additional amounts of methamphetamine.  A search of their residence revealed evidence of continued drug distribution at this location.  Officers with the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division located several items suspected to be stolen that had the serial numbers or vehicle identification numbers removed.

These investigations and arrests could not have been possible without the continued cooperation and assistance of the 35^th District Attorney’s Office, West Central Texas Inter Local Crime Taskforce, Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division, Texas Rangers, Brownwood Police Department, Brownwood City Marshall, Early Police Department, and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Bobby Grubbs stated that, “Carlyle put most of it together, he did a good job.  I want to commend him and Billy Bloom of the Taskforce.”

Although 16 people are in custody for various drug related charges, Law Enforcement is still searching for 6 more people wanted in connection with this investigation.  Photographs and charges of those arrested and those still being sought are below.  Those not pictured: James Walaert, 22, outstanding warrant for fraud & Joshua Deleon, 17, outstanding warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Photo Above: Investigator Carlyle Gover (l) with Sheriff Bobby Grubbs (r) at an afternoon press conference.