BARTON COUNTY —A busy Friday resulted in four arrests by the Barton County Sheriff's Office along with a quarter pound of of methamphetamine being seized as well as the discovery of illegal weapons.
According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, an ongoing investigation resulted in a traffic stop being made Friday in 1200 block of Fry Street In Great Bend where 25-year old Eric Duerksen was arrested at the scene. Duerksen had an outstanding no bond warrant for a probation violation and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm and was also a registered offender for violent crimes.
Duerksen was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail without incident where he was charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm and corrections violation. Duerksen is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond for the weapons and distribution charges and no bond on the corrections violation.
Deputies then proceeded to the 300 block of West K4 Highway just west of Hoisington and executed their second search warrant of the day. Once Deputies gained entry to the rural residence without incident, they discovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. They also discovered juvenile children in the residence.
Erin Burton, 33, of rural Hoisington was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail on distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine. Burton is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond. Four juveniles were taken into protective custody.
But the day wasn't over yet. At 3:45 PM deputies executed the third search warrant of the day in the 2200 block of 25th St. in Great Bend where they found a sawed-off shotgun, methamphetamine and stolen property. Garrett Sigmund, 18, of Stafford was arrested for a corrections violation from the Barton County District Court as well as possession of methamphetamine. Sigmund is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the possession charge and no bond on the corrections violation.
Also arrested was 40-year old Christopher Stamm of Great Bend. Stamm was arrested for two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Stamm posted a $50,000 bond and was released. He was out on bond for previous drug charges at the time of his arrest Friday.
In all, approximately a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine and several illegal firearms were removed from the streets.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the rural Hoisington location by the Juvenile Justice Authority.