Rachel Dove-Baldwin
Staff Writer
WILLIAMSON - “They’re getting brazen with their drug buys,” stated Mingo County Special Investigator Eugene Crum, as he was speaking about a drug arrest that occurred Thursday afternoon on Third Avenue in Williamson. “They’ve got by with it for so long they don’t feel the need to hide anymore or make their deals in the dark. They’re buying and selling in broad daylight, out in the open for everyone to see.”
“A blind eye has been turned to these crimes for far too long, and I can guarantee you it will no longer be tolerated. One arrest at a time – we’ll take them down.”
Crum was driving his vehicle in downtown Williamson Thursday afternoon when he spotted what appeared to be suspicious activity in the parking lot located on Third Avenue and Harvey Street, and decided to pull over and see how the event played out.
“I backed into the parking lot with the rear of my vehicle facing the pickup truck that contained one individual, with another one standing outside the driver’s side door,” explained Crum. “I sat there less than five minutes and witnessed the exchange of pills for money.”
“I wasn’t disguised, and I wasn’t hidden. They had looked at me when I pulled in and knew I was there, but that didn’t deter them from making the exchange. They had obviously gotten very comfortable with making these deals in a public place with people all around them.”
Crum radioed for Williamson Police Chief C.D. Rockel to respond, and one man, Anthony Collins, 57, was taken into custody. The suspect making the buy fled the scene on foot. He is expected to soon be arrested, since the officers are aware of his identity and plan to have a warrant issued against him.
Rockel stated in the criminal complaint that the defendant confessed to the drug transaction after he was read his rights. Statements were also obtained against Collins from another party who had attempted to make a drug buy during this investigation.
Collins was charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone). The defendant was arraigned before Mingo County Chief Magistrate Dallas Toler, who set the bond at $25,000 full-cash.
“I want to say how much I appreciate and respect Williamson Police Chief Dave Rockel,” remarked Crum. “Hands down, he’s the best drug investigator that I’ve ever been associated with and one of the best overall police officers in the state.”
“We’re blessed to have an officer like him protecting our citizens.”
“Dave cares about the residents of Williamson and the entire county, and he’s determined to curtail the drug activity. Working together, and with the support of our prosecutor and county commission, I know we can successfully reach that goal.”
Collins made the 16th drug related arrest that has been achieved since Crum was named as Special Investigator less than two months ago.
Matt