Arrests in Undercover Operation in Anderson County

PALESTINE — A 20-month narcotics and firearms trafficking investigation in Anderson County has resulted in nearly two dozen persons being indicted. Most of them are from Anderson County. A contingent of law officers started arrested the suspects Tuesday morning. At last report, 18 suspects had been taken into custody and four remained at large. Sixteen of them have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.

The Department of Public Safety says the initial investigation started in May 2012 with information from the Anderson County Sheriff�s Office about a possible drug trafficking organization operating within Anderson County. This prompted a collaborative effort between local, state and federal agencies, whose undercover agents and investigators were able to purchase narcotics and firearms from the individuals indicted. The case came to a conclusion with the identification and indictment of key members in the alleged drug trafficking organization.

The Anderson County Grand Jury returned indictments against the suspects on January 2nd. Tuesday morning around 6:00, authorities started serving arrest warrants in the case. Here are the ones who have been arrested and booked into the Anderson County Jail.
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm While Illegally in the United States:
Juan Jesus Morales Gante (AKA Chuy), 21

Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine:
Marcela Morales Aguilar, 38
Carrie Elizabeth Clark, 32
Michael Lance Collins, 35
Daniel Galacia, 29
Hilario Escamila Gonzalez Sr, 41
Engage in Organized Criminal Activity
Timothy Mark Bowling, 51
Travis Brotherton, 57
Holly Rene Miller, 38
Bridget Anita Ferguson, 33
Larry Lynn Mills, 65
Gary Wayne Parker Jr, 49
Amber Nicole Priehs, 23
Linda Kay Marr Smith, 53
Randall Keith Speed, 30
Jerry Wayne Turner, 47
Gilberto Estrada Vinaja, 28
Jon Dee Brown, 39

These remaining individuals have not been located, anyone with information on their whereabouts’ is asked to contact Anderson County Crime Stoppers at 903-729-8477:
Raul Hernandez Gomez, 39
Bruce James Hogue, 49
Brittney Estridge Hawthorne, 25
Jennifer Nacole Finley, 29