Police seize drugs, stolen gun after drug sting in Arnold

Three Arnold residents are facing felony drug and other charges after police allege they made a controlled buy of cocaine.

The arrests Tuesday resulted in the seizure of unspecified quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, a stolen gun, and more than $5,000 in cash, police said in court documents.

Arrested and charged were Dennis K. Yarbrough Jr., 40, Jamere Blackwell, 20, and Charita Oshea Blackwell, 37, all of the 1500 block of Kenneth Avenue.

According to court records, Arnold police and agents with the state Attorney General’s Office were conducting narcotics surveillance in Arnold on Tuesday. Agents met with an informant who said he or she could buy cocaine from Yarbrough, who the informant knew as “Kid.”

An Arnold officer said he saw the informant meet with Yarbrough and complete a “hand-to-hand transaction.” A small portion of the evidence was tested and was positive for cocaine, police said. The total weight of the cocaine bought was not given.

While authorities were getting a search warrant for the home, agents said they saw Yarbrough and Charita Blackwell leave in an SUV. Police stopped the vehicle and arrested Yarbrough, who was allegedly carrying $144 in cash, which included the currency used for the controlled buy. Charita Blackwell was released.

Before authorities carried out the search warrant, a man later identified as Jamere Blackwell was allegedly seen leaving the residence with a black bag and hiding it outside.

Agents executed the search warrant and detained Charita Blackwell, who had returned to the residence with two children under 10, Jamere Blackwell and two others who have not been charged.

Authorities allege Jamere Blackwell would not comply with commands and resisted being handcuffed. Blackwell allegedly said, “Come to my hood, we kill cops there.”

Items seized included three clear sandwich bags of crack cocaine totaling about 19.7 grams; drug packaging; a Ruger 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen in Arnold; a plastic bag with about 5.5 ounces of cocaine; a loaded .45-caliber magazine; and two cell phones. The money seized totaled almost $5,400.

The gun was allegedly found in a bedroom dresser with Yarbrough’s clothing and court documents. Police said he was not allowed to possess a gun because of felony drug convictions in 2004 and 2007.

In addition to drug charges against all three, Yarbrough is also charged with receiving stolen property, illegal possession of a firearm and criminal use of a communication facility; Jamere Blackwell is charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and criminal conspiracy; Charita Blackwell is charged with conspiracy, receiving stolen property and child endangerment.

Bail for Yarbrough and Jamere Blackwell was set at $50,000 each. Yarbrough was released from the county jail Wednesday; Jamere Blackwell was still being held, according to court records. Charita Blackwell was released without bail.