Officers with the Benton Police Department’s Special Investigative Unit, comprised of officers from Benton and Bryant Police, recently arrested three suspects for multiple narcotic violations..

On 4/12/11, at approximately 4:45 PM, officers served a search warrant at 1301 Shirewood Court.  Two subjects were subsequently arrested at the home, Savannah Watson (W/F, 24 YOA) and Jordan Watson (W/M, 27 YOA).  There was .60 ounces of ICE (Methamphetamine) found in the residence and there were two small children found residing in the home at the time of the incident.

Both suspects were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Y Felony), an enhancement for Possession of Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a church/school/and Boys and Girls Club, Use of a Communications Device to Facilitate a Crime (C Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Narcotics (C Felony), Maintaining a Drug Premises (D Felony), and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (C Felony).  The home was located directly across the street from the Boys and Girls Club, and in very close proximity to numerous Benton School District buildings and a church.

On 4/13/11, at approximately 1:50 PM, officers served a search warrant at 909 W. Sevier Street which was connected to the incident at 1301 Shirewood Court.  The suspect, Roger Sanchez (H/M, 34 YOA), wasn’t home during service of the search warrant but turned himself into the Benton Police Department on 4/15/11.  Sanchez is charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance –Methamphetamine (Y Felony), an enhancement for Delivery of Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a church/school/and Boys and Girls Club, Use of a Communications Device to Facilitate a Crime (C Felony), and Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons (D Felony).

Sanchez is currently under Federal Indictment for previous drug trafficking charges and is being supervised by ankle monitoring.  Drug paraphernalia was found in the residence at 909 W. Sevier St., which is owned by the Catholic Diocese and is next door to the Our Lady of Fatima Church.  At the time the warrant was served school was in session therefore officers and staff secured the students prior to the execution of the warrant to ensure their safety.

Both of these incidents were part of a year-long investigation involving these subjects.  Anyone with additional information regarding either of this cases, or with information on illegal narcotic activity, are encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS.