GUNS & DRUGS FOUND IN RAID MAY INDICATE LARGER OPERATION
By: Sachet A. Sullivan
A drug task force raid on a home allegedly occupied by squatters running a small drug and firearm operation led to the arrests of three individuals Thursday.
Derek Hamer, 28, Kobi Carroll, 23, and David Lee Stockard, 27, were booked into the Iron County Jail Thursday on multiple charges.
According to court records filed in 5th District Court, agents with the Iron-Garfield-Beaver County Drug Task Force received information from Iron County Sheriff’s Deputies about a female that said people were selling drugs out of her residence.
Investigators met with the female who reportedly told them that no one had permission to be in her home and that while she was incarcerated, three individuals moved in and stole her vehicle.
Authorities confirmed with the property manager that the female was the only authorized party allowed to be living in the home.
When police arrived at the residence, the property owner tried to unlock the door but discovered the locks had been changed. Officers knocked, and Hamer answered the door.
Hamer told law enforcement that there was another person in the home (Carroll) and that he also lived there with his buddy (Stockard) who was currently at work. Carroll surrendered herself to authorities after police gave commands for everyone to come out of the house.
Court documents show several large butterfly knives were removed from Hamer’s possession during a search of his person.
While waiting for their search warrant, officers performed an initial walkthrough of the residence where court records show they saw an assortment of drugs and paraphernalia. Hamer also told law enforcement there was a stolen handgun in a lock box next to the bed located in the front room.
During the search, agents reportedly found several lock boxes described as being consistent with drug distribution kits which contained methamphetamine, marijuana, THC wax, hypodermic needles, small plastic baggies, and paraphernalia. One of the lock boxes contained a handgun that was later confirmed stolen through the National Crime Information Center.
Additional items including Carroll’s social security card, an electronic scale and tools commonly used in burglaries such as a lock pick and bolt cutters, were also reportedly found in the search.
Police also searched Hamer’s phone, with his consent, and found photos of two allegedly stolen guns. Hamer told investigators that Stockard was responsible for stealing the firearms.
In a later interview, Stockard allegedly denied these claims instead pointing the finger at Hamer and accusing him of selling the guns to a “white supremist in Mesquite in exchange for drugs.”
The court record further states that police believe the “white supremist was arrested recently” in another one of the task force’s subsequent cases.
“Multiple stolen firearms were recovered during last week’s arrest of our suspect with the U.S. Marshall’s office”, the affidavit states.
During interviews conducted with the suspects, investigators reportedly confirmed that Carroll and Hamer were sharing the back bedroom while Stockard stayed in the living room.
Hamer faces more than a dozen charges including a first-degree felony for possession with intent to distribute; four second-degree felonies for theft of firearms and burglary of a dwelling; and four third-degree felonies, including possession of a controlled substance and possession or transfer of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. In addition, he is also charged with several misdemeanors.
Carroll is charged with three third-degree felonies, including burglary of a dwelling, theft of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute, as well as two additional third-degree felonies for possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility. Carroll also faces multiple misdemeanor charges.
Stockard is charged with four second-degree felonies, including burglary of a dwelling, theft, theft of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute. He also faces a third-degree felony for possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, along with additional misdemeanor charges.
Court documents are unclear surrounding the charge involving possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility listed under Carroll’s charges.
Officers requested Stockard be held without bail given he is currently on probation for three separate cases.
Police also requested that Carroll and Hamer be held without bail due to allegations of homelessness and previous attempts of evading law enforcement.
INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN BOOKED INTO IRON COUNTY JAIL AND ARE ACCUSED OF THE FOLLOWING CRIMES BUT ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
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