INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, Ark. – Following a series of investigations into methamphetamine distribution and other drug-related activities, several individuals have been arrested in Independence County, with warrants pending for one more suspect. The 16th District Drug Task Force (DTF) and the Independence County Sheriff’s Department are continuing to target drug dealers in the area.
Brittany L. Seals Arrested for Meth Distribution
On December 16, Brittany L. Seals, 33, was arrested after a warrant was issued for her involvement in methamphetamine distribution throughout the county. Investigators had been monitoring Seals since September 10 when they observed her loading bags into a vehicle outside a Batesville business. A subsequent search of the vehicle by Batesville police uncovered three baggies of methamphetamine, digital scales, and psilocybin mushrooms.
Seals is facing the following charges:
- Delivery of Methamphetamine (less than 200 grams) – Class Y felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine (less than 10 grams) – Class B felony
- Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms (less than 28 grams) – Class C felony
Her bond was set at $50,000.
Couple Arrested for Drug Dealing at Batesville Motel
On December 16, warrants were also filed for Jerry L. Hannah Sr. (52) and Tina Mae Downs (51) in connection with drug sales from their motel room at the Economy Inn on East Main Street in Batesville. The couple had been under investigation for several months for allegedly distributing methamphetamine and prescription pills.
Tina Mae Downs was arrested and faces charges including:
- Two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine (less than 2 grams) – Class C felonies
- Maintaining a Drug Premises – Class C felony
Her bond was set at $5,000.
Jerry L. Hannah Sr., also arrested, is facing more serious charges:
- Two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine (less than 2 grams) – Class C felonies
- Delivery of Hydrocodone Pills (less than 28 grams) – Class B felony
- Maintaining a Drug Premises – Class C felony
His bond has been set at $50,000.
Warrant Pending for Christopher L. Nichols
A warrant for the arrest of Christopher L. Nichols, 36, was filed on December 5. Nichols is accused of selling methamphetamine from a camper at 2150 Sunset Ridge Road in Cave City. Nichols faces the following charges:
- Delivery of Methamphetamine (less than 10 grams) – Class B felony
- Delivery of Methamphetamine (less than 2 grams) – Class C felony
- Maintaining a Drug Premises – Class C felony
As of reporting we are not sure if Nichols has been arrested. His bond has been set at $50,000.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking
These arrests are part of the 16th District Drug Task Force’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking in the area. Local law enforcement encourages the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help further their investigations.
