1. Methamphetamine Seizure
INGRAM, Texas — Texas Hill Country is well-known for its scenic beauty and tranquil lifestyle; however, small towns can become hubs of illegal activity. A prime example was this week when Ingram police joined with Kerrville authorities in raiding a meth house selling drugs to users.
Investigation began when residents reported loud noises and traffic at a residence on Morgan Street’s 100 Block, in particular, a steady flow of cars entering and leaving at all hours of day and night. Through interviews with neighbors and police records, the Marshal’s Department identified Martin Appel as responsible for owning this home and has an extensive criminal history involving drugs and weapons offenses, as he had numerous arrests against him in previous jurisdictions.
Investigators discovered a variety of chemicals at the Appel house, such as pseudoephedrine. These substances are used to produce methamphetamine and were introduced as evidence in this case. Police Officer Joel Budge testified that he gathered them into a white bucket before placing them into a sealed container due to their toxicity.
Investigators were able to identify additional participants in the combination and interview them. Three suspects, Brandi Crider, Jennifer Donaldson, and Ronald Smith, spoke with police regarding their roles in the conspiracy, each recalling working alongside Les Newman who was one of its leaders.
2. Illegal Firearms
Authorities believe they successfully seized two illegal firearms and three wanted fugitives during a multi-agency drug operation in Kerr County from February 27 to March 2 that took place from February 27 to March 2. This multi-agency investigation helped take $8 million worth of drugs off the streets, leading to 11 arrests as a result; Coleman Thomas Blevins, 28, was arrested May 28 in Kerrville after making threats related to white supremacy; police published photos showing Blevins holding texts associated with this movement as well as what appeared to be Neo-Nazi symbols associated with white supremacy movement texts on his phone during this bust operation.
3. Undocumented Immigrants
Kerr County deputies allege that an individual allegedly smuggled two illegal immigrants in his vehicle and led them on a high-speed car chase last Wednesday. The sheriff’s office stated they were conducting a narcotics and human smuggling investigation when they became suspicious of a suspicious vehicle. David Jarret Klaiber of Beeville led them on a high-speed pursuit exceeding 110 mph before ultimately crashing near Kerrville, where officials say they discovered 1.4 ounces of marijuana, 13.8 grams of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia inside his vehicle. Two undocumented immigrants inside Klaiber’s vehicle will be returned to Border Patrol for deportation proceedings. Klaiber, however, was charged with Manufacturing/Delivering Controlled substances, Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle, and Smuggling Persons and remains held on a $130,000 bond.
Deputies were able to identify those inside who attempted to hide beneath blankets and cardboard, with deputies still being able to identify them and take them into custody along with the driver of the truck. While transporting aliens is technically illegal at the federal level, Texas lawmakers have authorized DPS troopers to file such charges in state court instead.
4. Wanted Fugitive
Chris Lopez of Seguin was arrested by officers from Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and Kerr County Sheriff’s Office after being named on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List by Texas DPS. Lopez had been wanted since being indicted by a Guadalupe County grand jury for sexually assaulting children, according to news releases issued by these entities.
On Saturday afternoon, a Kansas City Police officer stopped a vehicle on Sidney Baker South for traffic violations and noticed its driver and passenger appear nervous. One gave an officer false information, upon which another asked her to step out so he could gather more info; when she did, an open alcoholic beverage spilled from the car!
5. Drug Seizure
Kerr County witnessed a multi-agency investigation over the weekend, which successfully dismantled a drug shipment worth $8 million worth of illegal drugs from reaching local streets. Officials from Kerr, Kendall, and Gillespie Counties Sheriffs Offices joined with Texas DPS Analysts, DPS K9 Units, and the North Texas Criminal Interdiction Unit to conduct this operation initiated by a citizen tip to the KCSO Narcotics Division.
Officials report seizing 27.5 kilograms of cocaine, 56 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.6 kilos of THC, and 0.59 pounds of marijuana during this massive drug bust operation, in addition to several vehicles and weapons that were confiscated, according to a statement released from KCSO.
Officials arrested three suspects during this drug bust on multiple charges. One, a 22-year-old female from California, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 as well as two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon; while a 20-year-old male from Kerrville was taken into custody due to both a felony warrant and a misdemeanor warrant.
Mugshots from the Comal County Adult Detention Center in Kerrville, TX. This page will offer continuously updated mugshots from Phoenix and Charlotte so you can look at WhoGotBusted!
