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Suspected drug dealers had a rude awakening early Thursday morning. Just after 6 a.m., six homes in Chickasha were simultaneously served with search warrants. Officers clad in tactical gear, wielding rifles, shotguns and sledge hammers shattered glass and slammed through doorways taking unsuspecting suspects into custody. "This was a successful drug raid," District Attorney Bret Burns said. "Most of these people have lengthy criminal histories." Members of the Chickasha Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, U.S. Marshall Service, probation and parole officers and the Grady County District Attorney's Office executed the warrants in the raid, in search of 10 individuals. By 8 a.m. seven out of 10 suspects were in custody and being interviewed by investigators. Two hours later 15 suspects were in custody, and more were expected to be booked in, Burns said. Some drugs have been found, but the quantity is unknown at this time. Officers searched homes on 1st Street, 2nd Street, 8th Street, 9th Street, Minnesota Avenue and Frisco Avenue. The raid was made possible by a joint investigation between the Chickasha Police Department and Burns' investigators. Through the use of informants and controlled drug purchases, investigators built their case over a few months. "We believe this sweep this morning will make a big impact in our drug sales and other drug related crimes," Chickasha Police Maj. Elip Moore said. Many of the suspected dealers have been arrested for distributing drugs in the past. Burns said, because of their previous convictions, all suspects could face life sentences. “By working together and removing these drug dealers from the streets, we have made this community a safer place," Burns said. Almost all of these defendants have prior felony drug convictions, and many of these defendants are charged with selling drugs in the presence of small children near our public schools." The Oklahoma Department of Human Services also assisted in the raid by taking custody of four children that were in the homes of the suspected dealers. "You worry about the safety of the children," Burns said. "It's a dangerous environment, but the drug dealers make that environment." Teams continue to search multiple properties in search of mass quantities of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana. Even if large quantities of drugs are not located, Burns and investigators have enough evidence to prosecute. All suspects will be arraigned by District Judge Timothy Brauer at 9 a.m. Friday. "I'm real impressed with the efforts of the investigators and their professionalism during this investigation," Moore said. Burns thanked all agencies involved in the raid, as well as the Chickasha Fire Department and Grady County DHS for their proactive support. Investigators continue to interview suspects and search homes for narcotics. No officers were seriously injured during the raids. Officer Cliff Walker did sustain a cut on his arm as he shattered a door in the 200 block of Minnesota Avenue.
Warrant list:
Name: Chad Lamont Blunt
Age: 36
Address: 801 S. 1st Street
Charges: Two counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 10 years - life in prison or a fine up to $200,000
Name: Tina Rena Pye
Age: 35
Address: 224 W. Minnesota Ave.
Charges: Two counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine and marijuana
Potential penalties: four years - life in prison or a fine up to $40,000
Name: Lawrence Paul Anderson
Age: 31
Address: 915 S. 2nd St.
Charges: Four counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 10 years - life in prison or a fine up to $200,000
Name: Lawrence Paul Richardson
Age: 48
Address: 421 S. 8th Street.
Charges: Three counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 10 years - life in prison or a fine up to $200,000
Name: Robert Earl Givens
Age: 47
Address: 1209 S. Shepherd St.
Charges: One count of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 5 years - life in prison or a fine up to $100,000
Name: Anthony Williams
Age: 23
Address: 915 S. 2nd St.
Charges: Two counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 10 years - life in prison or a fine up to $200,000
Name: Michael Barry Jim
Age: 41
Address: 1908 W. Carolina Ave.
Charges: Three counts of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: methamphetamine
Potential penalties: 2 years - life in prison or a fine up to $20,000
Name: Trent Lyle Johnson
Age: 36
Address: 421 S. 8th Street.
Charges: Four counts of Endeavoring to distribute a Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 5 years - life in prison or a fine up to $100,000
Name: Taranzo Lenard Pye
Age: 32
Address: 224 Minnesota Ave.
Charges: One count of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 10 years - life in prison or a fine up to $200,000
Name: Eric Dewayne Blakes
Age: 45
Address: 1010 S. 2nd St.
Charges: One count of Distribution of Controlled Substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Drug: crack cocaine
Potential penalties: 5 years - life in prison or a fine up to $100,000





