Prentiss County Drug Arrests: Two Booneville Men Charged

Two Booneville men are facing felony charges in a pair of Prentiss County drug arrests announced Tuesday by the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department. One arrest came at a deputy safety checkpoint and the other during a traffic stop on Highway 4, according to the department.

Both cases are set to go to the next Prentiss County grand jury, which will decide whether to return indictments.

Meth found during safety checkpoint arrest

On Oct. 5, Prentiss County deputies were running a safety checkpoint when Deputy Alfredo Navarro arrested Steven Yates, 55, of Booneville. The sheriff’s department said Yates was wanted on an active Justice Court warrant and was also cited for misdemeanor traffic violations.

While deputies were taking Yates into custody, they found a bulge in his front pocket. According to the department, it held a pipe and a clear baggie containing a crystal-like substance.

Yates was booked into the Prentiss County Jail and charged with possession of methamphetamine. Justice Court Judge Craig Bishop set his bond at $10,000.

Highway 4 traffic stop leads to second Prentiss County drug arrest

The second case started on Oct. 10, when Deputy Ethan Hester pulled over a vehicle on Mississippi Highway 4 near County Road 8401. Deputy N’shawn Cameron assisted with the stop.

Zachery Ruey Smith, 40, of Booneville, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s department said he also faces several misdemeanor traffic violations and was wanted on a Justice Court warrant. The department did not say what controlled substance was involved.

Justice Court Judge Ray Hall set Smith’s bond at $10,000.

What happens next

Sheriff’s Investigator Kolby Knight will present both cases to the next grand jury. Here’s how the two arrests compare:

• Steven Yates, 55, Booneville: possession of methamphetamine; arrested Oct. 5 at a safety checkpoint; bond $10,000.
• Zachery Ruey Smith, 40, Booneville: possession of a controlled substance; arrested Oct. 10 on Highway 4 near County Road 8401; bond $10,000.

The Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department, led by Sheriff Randy Tolar, regularly shares arrest reports on its official Facebook page. Deputies have been running safety checkpoints and traffic enforcement across the county this fall. Residents with information about drug activity can call the sheriff’s department at (662) 728-6232.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

More Prentiss County public safety news: Prentiss County deputies seek suspect in shed burglary.

Source: Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department (Facebook)