August 9, 2021 - Through a joint investigation of Constable Precinct 5 Josh Tipton; Constable Precinct 3, Roy Cheatwood; and Constable Precinct 4, Taylor Fanguy an alleged distributor of illegal narcotics was arrested Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:30pm.
Jody Martin, 33, of Center was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance Schedule 1 with >4G <200G, felony 2; possession of a controlled substance PG1, felony 3; evading arrest/detention with a motor vehicle, state jail felony; and evading arrest/detention with a motor vehicle with previous conviction, state jail felony.
According to the constables, it had been learned Martin was living in the Timpson area while distributing narcotics there as well as frequenting Tenaha and Joaquin where he was allegedly distributing. During their investigation, the constables discovered Martin had a felony three warrant out of San Augustine County.
As a means to locate Martin, the constables set up at routes leaving and entering Joaquin to form a dragnet. While Martin was traveling State Highway 7 heading toward Logansport, the constables attempted to initiate a traffic stop between U.S. Highway 84 and the Louisiana border.
Martin pulled into the fuel pumps at the Joaquin Quick Stop where the constables blocked him in, after which Martin evaded by driving between the fuel pumps and a constable vehicle and continued onto U.S. Highway 84 toward Louisiana.
Once reaching FM 2787 before the state line, Martin turned right with the constables in pursuit to FM 139 where he turned left and traveled to CR 3367 which was a dead end roadway, and was where the pursuit became a foot chase as Martin fled his vehicle on foot. Once out of the vehicle, the constables were able to end the pursuit quickly and place Martin in custody.
After placing Martin in custody, approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine were located. A small amount of cash was recovered, and the constables will be seeking forfeiture of Martin's vehicle.
The following Sunday, August 8, 2021, at around 2am during narcotics investigation a traffic stop was initiated in the northern part of Shelby County by the constables. A felony amount of methamphetamine was discovered in the possession of Donald McLain, 65, of Joaquin who was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, felony 3.
Constables Tipton, Cheatwood and Fanguy will be filing forfeiture documents on vehicles and cash recovered in connection with narcotics trafficking.
The constables extend their appreciation to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
