Mount Vernon Police Department Announces Arrests in Multi-Jurisdiction Drug Sweep
32 Warrants Issued in Year-Long Crackdown
(Friday, May 4, 2018) — Today, Friday, May 4, 2018, Mount Vernon Police Department announced 22 arrests as a result of a year-long crackdown on illegal drug sales and distribution. The Department conducted a series of street buys, beginning in March of 2017, in conjunction with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety; the Westchester County District Attorney’s office and their heroin task force; the FBI Safe Streets Task Force; and Westchester County Probation.
In addition to the 22 arrests, which include a father-daughter team, warrants have been issued for an additional six individuals. The agencies are asking for the public’s help in locating these individuals.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE ANNOUCEMENT
Mayor Richard Thomas said, “Mount Vernon will not tolerate the presence of individuals who damage our community and poison our streets. Cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other illegal drugs are an epidemic that must be stopped. Fighting crime is a team effort and I am so thankful to the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, the FBI and all other partners in law enforcement. Crime is down 32 percent in the City of Mount Vernon since 2011 and it is thanks to the vigilance, dedication, and new approach to management we have implemented.”
Following this sweep by Mount Vernon Police, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said: “After months of intensive police work, this group of arrests, is a great example of the collaborative efforts among the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and our newly formed Gang, Firearms and Narcotics Bureau. Together these collaborative efforts are making inroads into cleaning up drug trafficking in the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County. This is only one step in our continued efforts to end the drug crisis in our communities.”
Commissioner Shawn Harris said, “Getting these individuals off the streets is a priority for the department. Illegal drugs, pushed by a small group of people, leads to violence and gang activity which is why it’s essential to squash these dealers and end the trafficking of drugs in our community.”
The Department is currently seeking the following six named individuals, as well as an additional four others.
1. Jamier Starks
2. Henderson Clarke
3. Johnathan Applewhite
4. Richard Bivens Sr.
5. Jermaine Cole
6. Lance Clarke
The following individuals have been arrested and charged with various drug-related crimes including Felony Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance.
Thomas Davis, 40
Sean Farrow, 46
Richard Overton, 28
Lawsen Riddenhour, 39
Sensa Velazquez, 38
Derrick Clarke, 35
Candace Brown, 57
Bobby Brown, 41
Duane Rutherford36
Turhan Jessamy, 53
Reginald Gallman, 34
Jaquan Harris, 36
Felicia Ash, 45
Dwayne Pennant, 38
Jocelyn Long, 27
Sadat Yancy, 41
John Ivery, 53
Destiny Jones, 25
Jonathan Long, 49
Gordon Tarrant Jr, 41
Julius Dupree, 48
Harold Lucas, 29
***anyone with information is asked to contact the Mount Vernon Police Detective Division at 914–665–2510 or text a tip to TIP411***
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