Drug Cops Bust Nine in NE Salem

(SALEM) - Nine people were arrested out of a Salem home Monday on drug charges as well as for various other crimes. Salem Police Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer says it began when officers with the Drug Activity Response Team investigated a report of possible drug activity at 1509 5th St. NE.

Kohlmeyer says only one of the nine lived at that address, underlining a humorous comment made by one of Salem's retired detectives said a long time ago "a lot of these people hang out together".

Police say that after approaching the home, a suspect named Grant Herring provided false information about other people at the location on 5th St NE. At that point, another person at the home, Lance Tupper, was recognized by police from past contacts.

Police say that while they were talking with Tupper, they discovered that he was in possession of a stiletto style knife. He was taken into custody.

The resident of the house, Judy Hampton, then came out and met with the Officers.

As the investigation continued, Officers were allowed into the residence where several people were contacted. Also during this time, police say Robert T. Britt and Rocky Peoples attempted to leave by jumping out of a bathroom window while another person, Gerald D. Moullet, climbed out onto the roof.

Salem officers outside of the house stopped and arrested all three, saying they all had warrants for their arrests.

A search of the residence revealed what police describe as drug residue, drug paraphernalia and evidence of Identity Theft. Salem Police Detectives responded at that point to assist in the Identity Theft investigation.

Kohlmeyer says that at the conclusion of the investigation, all nine adults in the house were arrested on the following charges:

46-year old Judy M. Hampton of Salem was charged arrested and with: Hindering Prosecution , Possession of Methamphetamine and Heroin, Maintaining a Place where Drugs are used and 10 counts of Identity Theft. Total Bail: $130,000.

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Comments

Comments are Closed on this story.

Adonis July 16, 2006 5:15 pm (Pacific time)

Kaye is right on target. Anyone can fall into the abyss. No person wants to suffer and a more advanced educated society would not broad brush the complex problem of substances, legal or otherwise. Some people need to be on medications for depression, anxiety etc. If a person does not need these and is able to do without, consider yourself fortunate but be a real Christian and show compassion for people that are so lost. Give people a chance and jail is not a chance. It labels a person as evil and not sick. Help the sick, the poor, those in pain etc. Don't turn a blind self-righteous eye to those who are unfortunate. You or one of your loved ones may be in the position of these sad cases that we see everyday. Jail is not the answer for mental illness and addiction.

Kaye July 16, 2006 10:09 am (Pacific time)

As we can clearly see that in all the arrest we see in the news they involve drugs of some sort, mainly "Meth". My question is how many rehabilitation clinics have been established in Marion County since this infectious drug problem started as opposed to just throwing them all in jail. I would be the first to admit not all people want the help, but I would be safe to say that many of them need and want the help of kicking the habit.

Frederick Williams July 16, 2006 2:49 am (Pacific time)

Hey Anonymous, No one is talking about children. People are talking about adults. Drugs are not a crime just because they are against the law. Your inability to read properly is sad, just sad! Who in the hell in any of the comments you have read has said that drugs are ok for children or parents being drugged or drunk (don't forget that one)in front of their kids. Why is it ok to have liquor in the house but not marijuana? All substances should be kept away from underage people. The next time you go out to dinner make sure you do not have a glass of red wine in front of your kids, if you do you are more dumb than you sound.

Anonymous July 14, 2006 5:40 pm (Pacific time)

I am shocked at the comments I read. Ignorance is a sad place to be and if you took some time to look at the other side of the fence you would realize what these drugs and other crimes are doing to our society. Think of the children who are not even having an opportunity for childhood because of the lifes their parents have chosen for them. The bottom line is that drugs are not legal and it's that way for a reason. People need to buck up and just deal with it, its the law. It's sad, just sad!

Jason Patrick July 14, 2006 5:33 am (Pacific time)

Of course these people are going to hinder prosecution, why shouldn't they? Unless they have committed a crime such as robbery or burglary, let them smoke, snort and shoot to their hearts delight. If drugs were legal or as Soe Watt says, psychiatric drugs were available and health insurance, most of these people would not have the need to steal for drugs. Give it to them for free. Besides it is common knowledge that so many drugs that are confiscated disappear from the evidence room (including cash) because many in police work sell it, use it or barter it. Wake-up America!

Soe Watt July 13, 2006 6:11 pm (Pacific time)

What a waste of taxpayer dollars with alot of hype. Legalize all drugs for adults. Other issues like theft have nothing to do with a person with a desire or need for substances. If we had National Health Insurance, many of these people could get treatment or be on the psychiatric drugs that they need. Help people with health insurance and psychiatric help (including drugs) and the police won't have to waste our money on their salaries, pensions, benefits, jails, probations officers and all of so much of the backward waste of the legal system. This is all over something that should have been legal decades ago. It just keeps the police busy so they can't move on to more important things.

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Drug Cops Bust Nine in NE Salem

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