Deputies arrest trio with drugs

A trio of alleged drug dealers was arrested at a traffic checkpoint in the Hopewell community east of town late last month after leaving a botched drug deal.

The checkpoint was at the intersection of Road 616 and Road 553 where the driver, Stephine Nelson, 42, 514 Old Country Circle, Marion, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, DUI, no insurance, expired license tag, possession of paraphernalia, contempt of court and possession of a controlled substance, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark.

The passengers arrested were Ethan Seales and Ariel Bell. Seales, 29, 10541 Road 632, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of paraphernalia. 

Bell, 28, 10211 Road 773, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of paraphernalia.

The trio stopped at the safety checkpoint on Tuesday, Nov. 28, conducted by the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Deputies at about 4:30 p.m.

Officers encountered a 2016 maroon Honda Accord with a Lauderdale County tag occupied by the three suspects. 

Clark said deputies quickly determined that Nelson was impaired and driving without a license. A search of the vehicle led to officers finding baggies of cocaine and methamphetamine inside the vehicle packaged for distribution.

The trio was on their way home from a failed attempt to sell the controlled substances after their client did not show up, Clark said.