Editor

Last week, the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department arrested seven people on a variety of charges.

Billy Nicely, 40, and Marsha Nicely, 31, of Washburn were both charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver. Following a traffic stop, officers Steve Cline and Billy Evans allegedly found a large bag of freshly cut, green marijuana after a brief investigation, said Chief Detective David Honeycutt.

Jason Jones, 31, of Clarfield, was charged with burglary and theft over $500 and Clarence Noe, 37, of Russellville was charged with burglary, theft over $500, theft of a motor vehicle, and evading arrest.

Officer received a call at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 13, that someone was trying to break into the offices of Randy Burchett Motors in Harrogate. Allegedly, one of the men had attempted to pry the office door open with a crowbar and when he failed to do so, he used the crowbar to break the door open. Officer James Martin was the first to arrive and took Jones into custody while Noe fled the scene, Honeycutt added that Noe then allegedly stole a truck in the vicinity of Washington Avenue. Sheriff David Ray was able to track down where Noe was living. The vehicle was recovered in Clarfield and Noe was arrested.

Melissa Collins, 38, of Speedwell, has been charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (meth), violation of registration law, violation of seatbelt law, resisting arrest, and tampering with evidence. The arrest came after officers Sam Napier and Josh Russell allegedly spotted an unregistered vehicle on Hwy. 63 on Wednesday, Sept. 13. They pulled the vehicle over and noticed an unrestrained child in the vehicle. When asked for an ID, Honeycutt said that Collins told the officers that she had none with her. During the course of their investigation, officers allegedly saw her throw something across the highway. When they recovered the item it was drug paraphernalia (a pipe), he said. A subsequent search found a silver container of powder that tested positive for meth, said Honeycutt.

Donnie Mallicoat was arrested by Officer Jimmy Seals and charged with theft over $1,000. The arrest pertained to a residential break-in in Clarfield, Honeycutt said.

David Johnson has been charged with two counts each of burglary, theft over $500, and theft under $500. Honeycutt explained that the arrests were in connection to a break-in at the construction office of Elmo Greer Construction on U.S. 25E and at Coke's Garage, where several trucks were broken into. He also said that Johnson apparently attempted to steal several tires off of trucks as well. Many - but not all - of the stolen items have been recovered, he added that more charges are expected to be filed in the case.

Sheriff Ray asks that anyone with information concerning criminal activity contact him or the criminal investigation division of the sheriff's department at 626-3385 or 911. All information will be kept confidential.