Stings by Harrison police, state agents lead to arrest of 2 accused heroin dealers

Two accused heroin dealers targeted in separate sting operations by Harrison police and state narcotics agents are scheduled to appear before a district judge this week to face felony drug charges.

Last February, an undercover team of Harrison police officers and agents from the state Attorney General’s Office arranged to buy heroin from Teresa Jean McDermot, 52, with help from an informant, according to a criminal complaint.

Investigators said they witnessed McDermot do a “hand-to-hand” exchange of money for drugs that tested positive for heroin.

McDermot, of the 800 block of First Avenue in Brackenridge, was charged with two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance along with a count of drug possession. She was charged Dec. 15 but was not taken into custody until Jan. 19, according to court records.

She was released on a nonmonetary bond and ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Carolyn Bengel.

On July 19, Harrison police and state drug agents made two controlled buys of heroin from Justin Kist, 35, of the 1400 block of Third Street in Harrison, according to his arrest papers.

Investigators said they arranged for an informant to buy heroin from Kist and watched as the transaction took place near his home, according to a criminal complaint.

A second drug deal was arranged with Kist at the same location July 28, police said.

The drugs confiscated both times were field tested and came back positive for heroin, the complaint said.

Kist was charged Dec. 15 with four felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance along with two counts of drug possession, according to court records.

He was taken into custody Jan. 19 and released on a nonmonetary bond. His hearing before Bengel also is scheduled for Wednesday.