18 arrested in early morning drug sweep

Hours before the sun rose Monday morning, officers from the West Frankfort Police Department led teams of several area law enforcement agencies on sweeps to make arrests on various charges, with the heavy majority stemming from drug-related activity.

West Frankfort Chief of Police Jeff Tharp said the department began building cases for Monday morning's 18 arrests late in 2011 with covert narcotics investigations. The chief said the operations were time-intensive, requiring long hours of electronic, mobile and static surveillances, background investigations, informant management, written documents, court order preparations and purchases of controlled substances.

"The majority of these crimes are a direct result of the need to acquire illicit controlled substances," said Tharp. "But we will frequently be making purchases, conducting investigations and, if you are selling illegal drugs in West Frankfort, we will be coming through your door shortly."

Monday's arrests were a collaborative effort that, in addition to the WFPD, also included officers from the the following departments: Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Benton, West City, Christopher, Sesser, Zeigler and the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.

Tharp also said that he appreciative of the support from the Franklin County State's Attorney's Office and the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office.

The following arrests were made Monday after their cases were present to Franklin County State's Attorney Evan Owens' Office earlier in May. Subsequently, 45 charges were filed, resulting in 18 arrest warrants for the following people.

-Isadore N. Armstrong, 54, of West Frankfort, four counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Don M. Murphy, 63, of West Frankfort, two counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Yuvett M. McClurken, 54, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Michael E. Trimble, 41, of Zeigler, one count Burglary.

-Christopher L. Rollins, 28 , of Stonefort, two counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Brian E. Carle, 20, from Ewing, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Trent W. Earnheart, 26, of West Frankfort, one count Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Joseph G. Strand, 53, of Johnston City, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Likeya M. Jordan, 32, of Herrin, two counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Jonathan R. McPherson, 32, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Darrell L. Taylor, 30, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Catherine L. Bandy, 44, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Michael J. Morgan, 50, of West Frankfort, four counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Amanda R. Moore, 28, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Michael L. Tomshack, 47, of West Frankfort, one count Criminal Damage to Property.

-Shelly Y. Watkins, 40, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Michael J. Flodstrom, 31, of West Frankfort, three counts Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

-Gary D. Gunter, 30, of West Frankfort, one count Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.