NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION ENDS WITH 15 ARRESTS

BENTON, Mo. -- A four-month undercover narcotics investigation ended with fourteen adults and one juvenile from Sikeston, Mo., being taken into custody on Friday, the Scott County sheriff said.

Some of those arrested likely knew each other, but no conspiracy of narcotic sales was involved, Sheriff Bill Ferrell said.

"We have undercover investigations going on all the time," Ferrell said. "It just happened that all of these people were rounded up on Friday."

Deputies and officers from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety were involved in the four-month investigation. On Friday, they received assistance from the K-9 unit of the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department and a helicopter from the Missouri Air National Guard.

"They provided surveillance in case any of the suspects ran," Ferrell said.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with sale of a controlled substance: Steven McGee, 35, $50,000 bond; Donald P. Tidwell, 42, $2,500 bond; W.D. Maiden, 51, $100, 000 bond; Ivan Baker, 42, $50,000 bond; Armster Robinson, 25, $250,000 bond; Elnora Valentine, 23, $50,000 bond; Tyrone White, 37, $50,000 bond.

Others had various charges: Charles E. Nichols, 43, possession of a controlled substance, $2,500 bond; Antonio Turner, 29, sale and distribution of a controlled substance, $300,000 bond; Daron Robinson, 27, distribution of a controlled substance; $150,000 bond; Antonio Turner, 29, sale and distribution of a controlled substance, $300,000 bond; Reno Jones, 17, sale of a controlled substance, delivery of an imitation controlled substance, $150,000; Willie E. Jones, 26, distribution of a controlled substance near a school, $150,000 bond; Travis Williams, 19, probation violation; Steven Conley, 30, on a federal warrant.

A 16-year-old boy was also cited for delivery of an imitation controlled substance.