The Sierra Vista Police Department arrested nine Sierra Vista residents, including three for felony charges, on Wednesday night as a result of a long-term investigation targeting methamphetamine and heroin trafficking.
The investigation culminated with the arrest of 25-year-old Katlyn Dunn, after she was stopped by Sierra Vista police officers on Highway 90 near Airport Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at about 6:40 p.m. for a traffic infraction. A Cochise County Sheriff’s Office K-9 alerted to the presence of a controlled substance in Dunn’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 22 grams of methamphetamine and 6 grams of heroin. She was also in possession of multiple items of paraphernalia and over $1500 in cash.
Katlyn Dunn was charged with five felonies to include sale of dangerous drugs, sale of narcotic drugs, transportation of dangerous drugs, transportation of a narcotic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Surveillance units from the Sierra Vista Police Department, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations had observed Dunn leaving a residence on the 300 block of North 1st Street prior to the traffic stop. A search warrant was obtained to enter and search the residence.
The Sierra Vista Police Department served the search warrant and the search of the residence revealed cocaine, marijuana, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. Police arrested eight occupants of the residence on drug-related charges. The individuals and charges include:
- Vernon Hill, 35, charged with possession of a narcotic drug, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Tammie Macias, 46, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and a felony warrant.
- Liliana Moreno, 30, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Dennis Hawley, 57, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Richard Banks, 55, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Melissa Amy DeMeritt, 52, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Juanita Laureano, 31, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Enrique Cota-Macias, 22, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.