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Gun and Drugs Seized in Columbus Raid

01/28/2016

Erik Jones mugshot
Erik Jones
Melissa Yates
Melissa Yates
Charley Baxter
Charley Baxter

Three in Custody Following Raid on Columbus Home

Just after 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office along with the Columbus Police Department and the Southeast Kansas Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at 517 South Tennessee in Columbus.

During the course of the search, authorities arrested Erik Jones, 20, of the home.  Jones is being held in the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Use of a Weapon.  Bond has been set at $10,000.00.

Also arrested were 35 year-old Melissa Yates, and 28 year-old Charley Baxter, both of the home.  They are each being held in lieu of $2,000.00 bond on suspicion of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia.

 “This is the second time in 6 months that a narcotics related search warrant has been conducted on this home,” according to Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.  “Although there were different occupants when the warrant was executed in August, our office has been monitoring the residence as part of an ongoing investigation and has observed noticeable amounts of traffic in recent weeks. 

“One major concern today is the combination of drugs and a handgun in an environment where there are children.  Two kids, ages 16 and 13 were at school at the time of the warrant execution, but have been placed into protective custody by law enforcement,” concluded Groves.

Formal charges against the suspects, who are presumed innocent until proven guilty, are expected to be filed later this week.

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