"A Lot of These People Hang out Together"
(SALEM) - Nine people were arrested out of a Salem home Monday on drug charges as well as for various other crimes. Salem Police Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer says it began when officers with the Drug Activity Response Team investigated a report of possible drug activity at 1509 5th St. NE.
Kohlmeyer says only one of the nine lived at that address, underlining a humorous comment made by one of Salem's retired detectives said a long time ago "a lot of these people hang out together".
Police say that after approaching the home, a suspect named Grant Herring provided false information about other people at the location on 5th St NE. At that point, another person at the home, Lance Tupper, was recognized by police from past contacts.
Police say that while they were talking with Tupper, they discovered that he was in possession of a stiletto style knife. He was taken into custody.
The resident of the house, Judy Hampton, then came out and met with the Officers.
As the investigation continued, Officers were allowed into the residence where several people were contacted. Also during this time, police say Robert T. Britt and Rocky Peoples attempted to leave by jumping out of a bathroom window while another person, Gerald D. Moullet, climbed out onto the roof.
Salem officers outside of the house stopped and arrested all three, saying they all had warrants for their arrests.
A search of the residence revealed what police describe as drug residue, drug paraphernalia and evidence of Identity Theft. Salem Police Detectives responded at that point to assist in the Identity Theft investigation.
Kohlmeyer says that at the conclusion of the investigation, all nine adults in the house were arrested on the following charges:
46-year old Judy M. Hampton of Salem was charged arrested and with: Hindering Prosecution , Possession of Methamphetamine and Heroin, Maintaining a Place where Drugs are used and 10 counts of Identity Theft. Total Bail: $130,000.
44-year old Grant L. Herring of Salem was arrested and charged with: Hindering prosecution, Possession of Methamphetamine and Heroin, Maintaining a Place where Drugs are used and 2 counts of Identity Theft. Bail: $20,000.
36-year old Lance P. Tupper of Salem was arrested and charged with: Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and a Parole Violation. No Bail: Held on a Parole Detainer.
32-year old Efrocinia Efimoff of Salem was arrested and charged with: Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Place where Drugs are used and 2 counts of Identity Theft. No Bail: Held on a Parole Detainer.
20-year old Ashley C. Thompson of Salem was arrested and charged with Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Identity Theft and 2 Arrest Warrants for Failure to Appear and Theft III No Bail.
20-year old Gerald D. Moullet of Salem was arrested and charged with: 2 Arrest Warrants, for Theft I and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle No Bail: Held in Custody on the Warrants.
20-year old Reyna R. Velasco of Salem was arrested and charged with: Hindering Prosecution Cited and Released.
31-year old Rocky T. Peoples of Salem was arrested and charged with: 4 Arrest Warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance- Meth, 2 counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Giving False Information to Police. Total Bail: $190,000.
18-year old Robert T. Britt of Salem was arrested and charged with: Robbery I, Burglary I, Theft I and 1 Arrest Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance- Meth. Total Bail: $90,000 but held in custody on the warrant.
All suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Jail.
Drug Cops Bust Nine in NE SalemSalem-News.com