The Blaine County Sheriff’s office acted on search warrants for three properties near Homestead and found more than they expected.
The search warrants were issued so that the officers could look for allegedly stolen items. The suspicions were backed up by concerns by locals that something fishy was going on at the properties.
The officers located lawn mowers, motorcycles and cattle panels, all suspected of being stolen. While searching, law enforcement also found what they believed was meth and scales, which led them to believe the locations were being used to sell narcotics. That suspicion was backed up by one or more informants.
Five people were arrested.
Rocky Ray Root of Okeene was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, maintaining a dwelling where controlled dangerous substances are kept, knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and use of firearm while committing a felony.
Bonnie Sue Meeks of Canton, was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, maintaining a dwelling where controlled dangerous substances are kept, knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, use of firearm while committing a felony, grand larceny, cruelty to animals, abandonment of domestic animal on road, and carry or possess firearm by convicted felon.
Toni Coffey of Homestead was charged with receive, possess or conceal stolen property, conspiracy, maintaining a dwelling where controlled dangerous substances are kept, possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
Rosario Rivera of Canton was charged with receive, possess or conceal stolen property, conspiracy, maintaining a dwelling where controlled dangerous substances are kept, possession of forged evidence of debt and possession of paraphernalia.
Tyler Jean Coffey of Okeene was charged with receive, possess or conceal stolen property, maintaining a dwelling where controlled dangerous substances are kept, conspiracy, possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
Concealing stolen property is punishable by between six months to eight years in jail. Maintaining a dwelling is punishable by up to up to five years and a fine of up to $100,000. Conspiracy to distribute is punishable by up to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 million.
All defendants are considered innocent until a court finds them guilty.