Tip leads Neshoba deputies to meth, 3 arrests

What started as a tip about suspicious activity turned into surveillance of a Bethsaida community residence that led to the arrest of three individuals on various felonies including possession of meth.

Johnny Abel, 61, 14951 Highway 19 South, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance. 

Julia Jones, 35, 391 Morris Bankston Road in Laurel, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Richard D. Shoffener, 43, 14951 Highway 19 south, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. 

Sheriff Eric Clark said that the substance in question was methamphetamine.

He said the arrests came from a search warrant executed in the Bethsaida community on the evening of Friday, Dec. 4.

Clark said his office made arrests Friday night after a tip of suspicious activity.

The tip led to the surveillance of a residence on Highway 19 south in the Bethsaida community.

He said the investigation led to a search warrant that revealed over 12 grams of meth, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, a firearm and a sword.

Clark said that the case remains under investigation.