Mar 05, 2020

Deputies arrest 6 Kansas suspects in multi-county drug bust

Posted Mar 05, 2020 1:00 AM
Deputies continue to search for Mitch Selle in connection with the investigation.
Deputies continue to search for Mitch Selle in connection with the investigation.

BARTON COUNTY —Seven separate search warrants resulted in the arrest of six individuals Wednesday in three Kansas counties, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, multiple law enforcement agencies began executing search warrants throughout Barton County. Additional search warrants were executed in Stafford and Pawnee Counties. The Barton County Sheriff’s office and the Great Bend Police Department had cultivated information from various sources revealing a network used to distribute methamphetamine.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir says one of the sources was an inmate in the Barton County Jail who was orchestrating drug deals on a recorded line. The inmate didn't know detectives were monitering the calls.

Bellendir says the execution of the search warrants found evidence of drug distribution and money laundering. A large amount of US currency, methamphetamine, drug processing materials and firearms were seized. At one location three preschool age children were taken into protective custody and released to the Juvenile Justice Authority.

Deputies on North Washington early Wednesday photo Barton Co. Sheriff
Deputies on North Washington early Wednesday photo Barton Co. Sheriff

Search warrants were executed at seven locations. 260 N. Washington Ave., Great Bend, 421 Dogwood Great Bend, 608 Windmill Ln. rural Great Bend, 611 Windmill Ln. rural Great Bend, 5210 10th St., Apt. 1, Great Bend, 1393 N. US 281 Highway rural St. John,Ks, 1190 100th Ave. rural Larned

Six suspects were arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. They include:

Amy Zapata photo Barton County
Amy Zapata photo Barton County

Amy Zapata age 31 of Great Bend was arrested and booked for money laundering, distribution of methamphetamine, aggravated child endangerment, possession of paraphernalia as well as a Rice County District Court warrant. She’s being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

John Zapata photo Barton Co.
John Zapata photo Barton Co.

John Paul Zapata age 33 of Great Bend was arrested and booked for money laundering, distribution of methamphetamine, aggravated child endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on the $20,000 bond.

Thompson photo Barton Co.
Thompson photo Barton Co.

Zach Thompson age 25 of Hoisington was arrested and booked for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm as well as interference with law enforcement officer. Thompson is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Fernandez
Fernandez

Linda Fernandez age 37 of rural St. John was arrested for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Pawnee County and transported back to the Barton County jail. She’s being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

Dannebohm
Dannebohm

Alicia Dannebohm age 42 of Great Bend was arrested and booked for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. She was released on a $10,000 bond.

Snow photo Barton Co.
Snow photo Barton Co.

Marcus Snow age 42 of Hoisington was arrested and booked for possession of methamphetamine possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Snow was released on a $10,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for one further individual wanted for questioning. Mitch Selle age 40 of rural Great Bend. If you have information as to Selle’s whereabouts please call Crime Stoppers, 911 or the Barton County Sheriff’s Office

Agencies involved in the operation included the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, the Great Bend Police Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Juvenile Justice Authority, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, the Rush County Sheriff’s Office and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

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