Local Law Enforcement Agencies Make Several Drug Arrests

Area law enforcement agencies were kept busy Thursday and Friday with several unrelated drug arrests.  Two locations were raided and one traffic stop resulted in 6 arrests according to law enforcement officials.

*Early Chief of Police David Mercer reported that Sgt. Shawn Dibrell along with a Brown County Sheriff’s Office Investigator arrested 21-year-old Allan Edwin Bocknite, II of Austin on Friday for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Grade 1, greater than 4g, less than 200g and Possession of Marijuana, more than 4 oz, less than or equal to 5lbs. in a Drug Free Zone.

Mercer said that Bocknite was an individual involved in an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security in Austin.  The department had been communicating with Sgt. Dibrell regarding the transportation of illegal drugs to Brownwood from Austin recently.  Agents from the Department of Homeland Security notified Sgt. Dibrell that Bocknite may be leaving Austin Thursday afternoon headed to the Brownwood/Early area with marijuana and cocaine.

Sgt. Dibrell enlisted the assistance of a BCSO Investigator and began conducting surveillance on traffic coming from the Austin direction.  Mercer said that Dibrell and the investigator spotted the suspect vehicle and stopped it for a traffic violation.   Bocknite was questioned by the officers at which time he admitted to transporting both marijuana and cocaine Mercer said.  Bocknite was arrested and taken to the Brown County Jail.

*Captain Tony Aaron reported that Brown County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant on Thursday in the 1700 block of Main Blvd.  Officers were given information that the suspects had several pit bulls and had prior knowledge of these subjects and their pets having dealt with them before.  Aaron said that as a protective measure, BCSO deployed a distraction device that emitted a loud noise and a bright light.  This tool startled the suspects and distracted the dogs enabling officers to arrest them without incident.

Once inside the home, suspects informed the officers that they had a 4 ft. albino python in a cage and that there was also a boa constrictor that had escaped which was loose in the attic.  Aaron said that officers searched the home and found numerous bags of marijuana packaged for distribution along with scales and packaging.  Three brothers:  22-year-old Berry Carl Baldwin Jr., 18-year-old Jeffrey Utah Baldwin, and 17-year-old Lonny Baldwin along with another occupant of the residence, 19-year-old Jacob Allen Wilder, were arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana greater than 2 oz, less than or equal to 4 oz. and Possession of a Dangerous Drug.

*Commander of the West Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force Billy Schat reported that the WCIC Task Force executed a search warrant on a house in the 1000 block of Vine Street of Brownwood on Thursday.  They were assisted by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Brownwood Police Department.  One subject, 20-year-old Michelle Cooper, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, less than 2 oz according to Captain Tony Aaron of Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

“We appreciate the assistance from the Brownwood Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Office,” stated Commander Schat.

The WCIC Task Force serves 13 counties in the area.