Investigation into burglary, identity theft leads to drugs, more charges

Police BeatPress release

An investigation into a burglary and identity theft crime led to the discovery of a substantial amount of suspected methamphetamines and more criminal charges, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Tuesday.

Corey Johnson, 23, was arrested December 8 by Henderson County deputies Jodie Sorrells and Kyle Pochobradsky, who were investigating reported burglaries and financial crimes in the Green Tree Acres subdivision in Seven Points.

He was charged then with possession of a controlled substance after resisting arrest.

Following up on that arrest over the weekend, investigators australia presented a search warrant to 173rd Judicial District Judge Dan Moore regarding the identity theft and the possession of illegal drugs charge.

While executing the search warrant Judge Moore signed, Investigator Bosher and Deputy Sorrells found debit/credit cards, mail and other identifying information and a bag containing more suspected methamphetamine in the room where Johnson had previously resided and was arrested.

“This crime goes to show the connection between burglary, identity theft and illegal drugs,” Hillhouse said. “Too many times, one crime leads to another, and all too often we are seeing that illegal drug use, abuse and dealing are the root cause.”

Hillhouse praised his deputies and investigators for following through on what first appeared to be a reported burglary and credit card theft crime, but in the end may well put a drug dealer behind bars.

In the last six months, Hillhouse’s campaign against illegal drugs has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests, most for drugs and drug related crime.

“Every day – weekends included – we are on the job fighting this issue in the County,” he said.