Operation Rx Clean-Up

Sunday, 22 July 2012 13:44

Operation Rx Clean-Up

Written by Dwight D'Evelyn

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PANT Shuts Down “Street Pharmacy’s” Around the County

On July 18, 2012, the Yavapai County Prescription Drug Task Force, utilizing law enforcement officers from Partner Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT), deployed throughout Yavapai County to effect arrests for the illicit sales/possession of prescription drugs and in some cases, prescription fraud. The investigation leading to these 42 arrests began earlier this year and involved hundreds of hours of work by PANT members tracking the trail of pills and forged prescriptions to the targeted suspects.

The Task Force hopes the impact of these arrests will send a message that the use and sales of prescription drugs through illicit means will not be tolerated. The epidemic of prescription pill use, especially with our young people, has become a great concern.

Detectives made 20 arrests prior to the operation on July 18th in instances where suspects were likely to flee or the activity presented an immediate danger to the community. In some cases, concerned medical professionals supplied initial leads to detectives, resulting in the identification of suspects and their eventual arrest.

PANT Commander Bill Suttle, assisted by PANT Sgt. James Gregory, oversaw the operation involving more than 20 members of PANT along with support staff. Sheriff Mascher, as Chairman of the Yavapai County Prescription Drug Task Force, greatly appreciates all the inv estigative work by detectives that culminated with the issuance of numerous arrest warrants. In cases where public disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, information pertaining to that case will not be shared at this time. As a result, the number of arrests documented in this media release will be fewer than the 42 completed. Both Sheriff Mascher and Commander Suttle wish to thank all the law enforcement officers and support staff that made this operation successful. Commander Suttle would also like to thank the Prescott Valley Police Department for use of their facility as a command post and initial booking center involving arrests in the Prescott basin.

Jeremy Forister, 22	Chino Valley, AZ	In April of 2012, PANT detectives confirmed the illegal sales of prescription medications (methadone based) by Forister in the parking lot of a Chino Valley gas station. Additional pills were found during his arrest. Forister remains in-custody on an $80,000 bond.
Brice Ibbotson, 20	Paulden, AZ	Ibbotson was arrested for selling prescription medications (including Clonazepam) in April 2012 from a location in Cottonwood. He remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.
Jesse Nanke, 19	Prescott, AZ	Nanke was arrested for a prior incident in May of 2012 involving possession of heroin and ecstasy following traffic stop on Highway 69. Nanke remains in-custody and bond as not been set.
Chynna Jones, 23	Prescott, AZ	Jones was arrested for an incident in June of 2012 involving Forgery and Identity Theft in an attempt to pass a prescription in a Sedona pharmacy. She remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.
Jonathan Cundiff, 34	Prescott Valley, AZ	On December 12, 2011, a search warrant was served at Cundiff's business in Prescott, AZ. Inside the business detectives found and seized a usable amount of marijuana, brass pipe and lighter, anabolic steroids, and various forms of prescription medications with labels removed from the bottles. Release on bond.
Robert Crawford, 49	Prescott Valley, AZ	PANT detectives confirmed the sales of prescription medications by Crawford in April of 2012 in Prescott Valley. He remains in-custody on a $35,000 bond.
Steve Otero, 19	Prescott Valley, AZ	Otero was arrested for the sales of prescription medications (including Clonazepam) from a location in Prescott Valley in April of 2012. He remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.
Jaime Strope, 20	Prescott Valley, AZ	Strope was arrested for involvement in the sales of prescription medications in April 2012 in Prescott Valley. Strope is associated with Steve Otero who is listed above. She remains in-custody. Bond has not been set.
Dylan Zimmerman, 21	Prescott Valley, AZ	Zimmerman was arrested for selling prescription narcotics issued to him. The confirmed buy occurred in June of 2012 in Prescott Valley. He remains in-custody. Bond has not been set.
Nathan Clayton, 29	Dewey, AZ	Arrested for sales of LSD in June of 2011 from a trailer park in Prescott, Arizona. Clayton remains in-custody. Bond has not been set.
Jodie Cox, 33	Dewey, AZ	Cox was arrested for passing over 100 forged prescriptions using a family member’s identity. She used with her knowledge as an urgent care center employee to facilitate the fraudulent prescriptions. These incidents occurred over a period of time at various pharmacy locations in Prescott Valley. She remains in-custody on a $40,000 bond.
Christina Marrietta, 20	Cottonwood, AZ	Arrested May of 2012 for involvement in the ongoing sales of Oxcodone. Serving time in the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC).
Delmar Cole, 49	Cottonwood, AZ	Arrested April of 2012 for involvement in the ongoing sales of Oxycodone/Hydrocodone from his home in Cottonwood. Serving time in the ADOC.
Infinity Wilson, 31	Cottonwood, AZ	Arrested June of 2012 following service of a search warrant at her residence. Wilson was involved in selling methamphetamine and prescription drugs from her Cottonwood home. Remains in-custody.
Betty Conners, 54	Cottonwood, AZ	Arrested in Cottonwood July 14, 2012, for several counts involving the Possession/Sale of Narcotic/Dangerous Drugs. Remains in-custody on a $50,000 bond.
Garan Lessar, 25	Cottonwood, AZ	Lessar was arrested for the sale of prescription medications (Clonazepam) in April of 2012 from an apartment in Cottonwood. She has been released on her own recognizance.
John Thompson, 57	Cottonwood, AZ	Thompson was arrested for the prior sales of dangerous drugs from his home in November of 2011. He remains in-custody on a $20,000 bond.
Peter Gonzales, 24	Cottonwood, AZ	During a search warrant investigation in March, 2012, inside a home on Arrowhead Lane in Cottonwood, detectives found dangerous drugs in his room. A warrant was obtained and Gonzales was arrested yesterday. He remains in-custody on a $7500 bond.
Jesse Allgood, 30	Camp Verde, AZ	Arrested December of 2011 for sales of Cocaine and Oxycodone. Serving time in the ADOC.
Dylan Hopkins, 39	Camp Verde, AZ	Arrested in March of 2012 for selling medication obtained from his narcotic prescriptions
James Derke, 49	Camp Verde, AZ	Arrested for sales of 36 Hydrocodone pills in Camp Verde, Arizona, February of 2012. He remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.
Nicole Wetzel, 28	Rimrock, AZ	Wetzel was arrested in February of 2012 following a search warrant at her Rimrock residence. Detectives recovered marijuana, hashish, and prescription medications. Released on bail.
Andrea Bittenbender, 34	Rimrock, AZ	She was arrested in June of 2012 at a McGuireville gas station for Possession of Methamphetamine and prescription narcotics with intent to sell. Released on bond.
Joel Deems, 42	Sedona, AZ	Arrested February/March 2012 for a Marijuana Grow and Sales in the Village of Oak Creek. Marijuana recovered had an estimated street value of $96,000. Also charged with illegal possession of prescription narcotics. Bonded out on both cases.
Richard Barone, 39	New River, AZ	Arrested for passing a forged prescription at a Camp Verde pharmacy in May of 2012. He remains in-custody on a $10,000 bond.
Justin Harrington, 22	Glendale, AZ	Arrested for passing a forged prescription at a Camp Verde pharmacy in May of 2012. He remains in-custody on a $10,000 bond.