Miss. Deputy Stuck With Needle by Suspect

Nov. 30, 2013
During a confrontation, a Pearl River County deputy was stuck with a used needle by a drug suspect.

MILLARD, Miss. -- The Pearl River County Sheriff's Department recently made two unrelated arrests for possession of methamphetamine, said Maj. Donnie Saucier.

On Nov. 13, a narcotics investigator executed a search warrant at 34 Albert Prince Rd. in Carriere. During the search, the investigator discovered that Jeremy W. Mitchell, 24, who lived at that address, had been manufacturing methamphetamine on the property, said Saucier.

He said investigators discovered several meth labs, precursor chemicals, a small amount of methamphetamine, and various paraphernalia items, such as spoons and hypodermic needles.

At the time of the search warrant, Mitchell wasn't home, Saucier said. An arrest warrant was issued for Mitchell for manufacturing controlled substance, possession of precursor chemicals, generation of hazardous waste and possession of a controlled substance, Saucier said.

Mitchell was arrested on Nov. 16 when a patrol deputy made contact with him on Interstate 59 North at mile marker five, Saucier said. The patrol deputy contacted narcotics investigators, who were in the area, to assist in the traffic stop, he said.

Upon making contact with the deputy, Mitchell gave the deputy a false name, but the deputy knew it was Mitchell and that a warrant was out for his arrest, Saucier said.

"At that time, the deputy and investigators attempted to place him under arrest," Saucier said.

Saucier said he didn't comply and began to fight with the officers. Mitchell struck the deputy and investigators with a closed fist, Saucier said. During the confrontation, the deputy was stuck with a used hypodermic needle Mitchell had on him, Saucier said.

The deputy and investigators were able to gain control of Mitchell and placed him in handcuffs and put him in the rear of the deputy's vehicle, Saucier said. Investigators and the deputy recovered a used needle and a spoon with methamphetamine residue from Mitchell's pocket, he said.

"As a result of the struggle, one deputy received minor injuries and some equipment was broken," Saucier said. "Mitchell was taken for medical treatment of minor lacerations, released (from the hospital) and brought to Pearl River County Correctional Facility."

Saucier said the deputy who was stuck with the needle received treatment and is following through with procedures for those stuck with used needles.

"Preliminary results show the deputy should be okay," Saucier said.

Mitchell was charged with simple assault of a police officer, failure to comply with law enforcement requests, resisting arrest, false identification to law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and the charges stemming from the search warrant, Saucier said.

Mitchell had been out on bond, which was revoked when he was arrested on Nov. 16, Saucier said.

Also on Nov. 16, in an unrelated case, a deputy was dispatched to the area of Jackson Landing Road and Andrew Seal Road in reference to a suspicious vehicle on the side of the road, Saucier said.

Upon arrival, the deputy saw a green Ford F-150 that was occupied by a single, white male, later identified as Alfred D. Clark of 62 Hickory Lane, Carriere, 46 years old, Saucier said.

As the deputy was approaching, Clark "got out (of the truck) and started acting nervous and reaching for his pockets," Saucier said.

The deputy ordered him several times to show his hand, which Clark refused to do, Saucier said. At this point, Clark stepped behind the door of the truck and walked toward the vehicle, he said.

"Clark kept putting his hands behind his back as if he was reaching (for) or concealing something," Saucier said.

The deputy pulled his service pistol and ordered Clark at gun point to show his hands, Saucier said.

"At this point, he put his hands in his front pant pocket and then the deputy observed him remove his hands and throw a clear bag with a white powder substance to the ground," Saucier said.

The deputy then "assisted Clark to the ground" and placed him in handcuffs and recovered the item Clark threw to the ground, Saucier said.

He said preliminary field examination of the powder substance showed positive indications of methamphetamine.

Clark was charged with possession of a controlled substance and his vehicle seized, Saucier said.

Copyright 2013 - Picayune Item, Miss.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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