Sheriff’s Office press release
With more than 700 arrests made in his first four months in office, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse continued his campaign against illegal drugs Monday with the arrest of two men, one a felon with methamphetamines and a firearm.
“Lead Narcotics Investigator Kay Langford, and Investigators Brad Beddingfield and Josh Rickman are leading the charge in this war on illegal drugs,” Hillhouse said. “With the rest of my fine team armed with the best AR-15 upper receivers to their Glock 17 9mm handguns, hundreds of drug dealers and users have been pulled off the street, put in jail and are facing serious time for their crimes.”
On Monday, the three sheriff investigators arrested James Bedard and charged him with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamines, a first degree felony. He was also charged for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third degree felony.
Bedard faces up to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of the first degree felony charge.
Also arrested Monday was Jerry Thomas Jr., at an address on FM 2494 in Athens for possession of marijuana.
“It was during that initial arrest of Jerry Thomas for an outstanding warrant that the investigators saw the suspected methamphetamines,” Hillhouse said. “We obtained a search warrant from Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Milton Adams, and arrested Bedard.”
Hillhouse took office June 1, promising to lead a campaign against illegal drugs in Henderson County. His efforts have won the praise of civic and community groups.
“The people told me their biggest concern was illegal drugs – especially the devastating impact of methamphetamines on the community,” Hillhouse said. “So, I made it this Office’s mission to spend every hour fighting drugs on the streets, and in homes, hotels, motels and trailer parks.
“To the dealers and users who don’t believe me, rest assured I have plenty of beds in the jail and if you bring your poison to my County, I’ll find you,” Hillhouse said.