Published: June 29, 2009 11:13 pm      

Authorities make more arrests in Jefferson County

WAURIKA — After law enforcement put eight people behind bars last week in Stephens County on charges of distribution of a controlled drug, the District Attorney Drug Task Force Team turned its sight toward Jefferson County.

Early Wednesday, June 24, law enforcement officers from six agencies arrested four people in the Waurika area and one in the north Texas area on felony distribution arrest warrants.

All four people arrested in Waurika had their initial appearances Wednesday in Jefferson County District Court, where they were officially charged with distribution charges.

The person arrested in Texas is awaiting extradition to Jefferson County.

All the cases in Stephens County and Jefferson County were developed within the last four months and were part of the same investigation.

“We couldn’t really end one case without ending them all,” District Attorney Investigator Justin Scott said.

Scott said he used one confidential informant to purchase drugs from all the people who were arrested Wednesday.

In Stephens County, Scott used multiple informants to develop his cases.

Because Scott used confidential informants to allegedly purchase drugs from those arrested, he needed to arrest everyone in Stephens County and Jefferson County at the same time, or shortly after, rather than a few here and a few there.

This ensured that the informants remained safe and that most, if not all, the arrest warrants resulted in apprehensions, Scott said.

In total, Scott’s investigation resulted in 13 arrests between Jefferson and Stephens counties.

A 14th person, David Manley, turned himself in to law enforcement Wednesday in Stephens County because of the warrant for his arrest, Scott said.

Two other people from Stephens County, Lafayette Coit and David Woods, are believed to be in custody in other areas of the state and will be extradited, so their cases can be adjudicated, Scott said.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Waurika Police Department and the U.S. Marshals assisted the district attorney’s office Wednesday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was involved in the investigation of the people, but did not assist with the arrests Wednesday, Scott said.

“We’re very appreciative of the help from all the agencies,” Scott said.

Those arrested Wednesday:

• Louie Dabbs, 57, of Ryan.

• George Romero, 20, of Waurika.

• Jimmy Torrez Jr., 19, of Waurika.

• Calvin Hampton, 51, of Waurika.

• Brady Butler, 23, of southern Jefferson County. Butler was arrested in northern Texas by the U.S. Marshals and is awaiting extradition to Jefferson County.

The investigation of Butler and alleged drug purchases from Butler all occurred in Jefferson County.

Scott said he does not know why Butler went to Texas before he was arrested.