Drug sweep nets 32

NEW MADRID -- Thirty-two persons were charged following a drug sweep through New Madrid County.

Sheriff Terry Stevens released the names of the following individuals who were arrested Friday or Saturday by area law enforcement authorities following an 18-month drug investigation in the county. All are charged with sale of a controlled substance, Stevens said.

Charged were:

From the Parma area: Walter Johnson, Robert Newman, Brian Thorton, Michael Barnes and Durrell Waters.

Arrested on Stoddard County charges: Kenny Combs, Wanda Golden, Michael Suell, Terry Golden.

From the Howardville/Lilbourn area: Larry Thacker Jr., Bryant Perkins, Kenny Farr, Jorge Burk, Catrina Guest.

New Madrid area residents arrested: Harvey Brown, Markeith Fountain, Greg Smith, Linda Patterson, Dereck Taylor, Theotis Hestor, Ellis Gibbs, Joseph Hill, Richard Williams, Edwin Minner and Melvin Gray.

Portageville/Marston area arrests included: Danny Long, Stanley Hamilton and Blaine Pipkin.

From the Sikeston area: Gary Ware, Kelly Johnson, Jimmy Johnson and Shannon Hartlein.

According to the sheriff, more arrests are pending in the on-going investigation.