Officers net seven at start of Cape drug sweep

In an early-morning sweep Tuesday, the Cape Girardeau Police Department teamed up with the SEMO Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department to serve warrants on people who were wanted for illegal drug activity in Cape Girardeau.

Seven arrests were made Tuesday, and police said their operations would be continuing over the next several days.

"This is part of an ongoing effort to reduce drug traffic in Cape Girardeau," said patrolman Jason Selzer.

The sweep began at 6 a.m., and officers continued serving warrants until around 3 p.m., Selzer said.

Officers started early to catch suspects by surprise and minimize resistance. Kevin Glaser, director of the drug task force, said those who were arrested surrendered peacefully. But officers didn't arrest as many as they wanted.

"A lot of these individuals do not have any permanent address," Glaser said. "So many of them float from place to place, and it's extremely hard to pin down when you might execute a warrant."

Glaser said that officers consider Tuesday's sweep the first of several days' effort. Some suspects may see their name publicized and turn themselves in. Officers may get tips from people in the community who know where some suspects are staying.

The sweep followed several days of planning. Glaser said much depends on available manpower from police agencies involved and how much space is available in the jail for those arrested. He stressed that the effort depends on the coordinated effort among all agencies involved.

All suspects have warrants for felony drug offenses ranging from distribution of crack cocaine to possession of a substance similar to PCP, Selzer said. The following people were arrested in Cape Girardeau during the sweep. Addresses given may not be their current address.

Marquies Cymone Boyd, 20, 421 S. Pacific St.

Jessica R. Criddle, also known as Jessica R. Ruffin, 20, unknown address.

Vincent L. Twiggs II, 22, 1213 S. Ellis St.

Travon L. Moore, 26, 1930 Delwin, Apt. 5.

Detrayous D. Curry, 20, 1119 Bloomfield St.

Ray M. Purl, 21, 719 William St.

Demetrius J. Deberry, 20, 256 S. Benton St.

Authorities say they are still looking for the following suspects, whose addresses may not be current:

Darnelus D. Harris, 20, 1138 S. Pacific St.

Lionel Dixon, 20, 315 Merriwether St.

Shemiah L. Carter, 23, 412 North St.

Anthony Ray Bell, 20, 509 S. Ellis St.

Paul Ladontius Ayers, 29, 616 Bellevue, Apt. D

Lance Sterling, 19, 27 S. Ellis St.

Barret Swan, 20, 5956 Kingsbury Ave., St. Louis.

Johnathan L. Thompson II, 20, 3015 Wisteria St.

Rezwan Ali, 22, 1966 Delwin St., Apt. 5

Kenneth E. Pearson, 44, 1113 S. Sprigg

Joseph Darnell Gray, 22, 923 Good Hope St.

Douglas W. Guyton Jr., 23, 509 S. Ellis St.

William Justin Johnson, 19, 921 William St., Apt. 2

James O. Dixon Jr., 21, 329 N. Fountain St.

If anyone has information of the whereabouts of any of these subjects, contact CrimeStoppers at (573) 332-0500 or the Cape Girardeau Police Department at (573) 335-6621.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160