Off-duty deputies make drug arrest Sunday

A long weekend got a little bit longer for two deputies  after they made a drug arrest after going back on duty to investigate a suspicious vehicle Sunday evening.

Chad Spurlin, 57, of 8689 Old Highway 19 South, Collinsville, was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a vehicle and possession of paraphernalia. 

Sheriff Eric Clark said that Spurlin is also wanted on a warrant out of Lauderdale County. Spurlin remains in the custody of the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Matthew Winstead made the arrest on Sunday evening around 8 p.m. on Road 276.

Clark said Winstead had noticed a blue F-150 on his road that he did not recognize after he got off work on Sunday after what Clark described as a “long weekend” for much of his staff.  

A neighbor had also reported the truck as a suspicious vehicle and Winstead and Deputy Patrick Burt, who also lives nearby went back into service to investigate. 

Clark said when Winstead pulled Spurlin over discovered he had a warrant for his arrest in Lauderdale County. 

He then asked Spurlin to exit the truck and noticed a small white container on the seat containing marijuana. Upon further investigation, Winstead discovered a bag of meth in a drinking cup in the center console.

Burt assisted in the arrest.

“He went back in service to assist since they were looking for a suspicious vehicle in their community,” Clark said.