Sheriffs’ Department seizes drugs and makes arrest

GILA COUNTY-  A traffic stop on Highway 87 and Ox Bow Estates Road leads to seizure of  methamphetamines and arrest of Payson man. 

On November 15, 2017, at approximately 6:30 a.m., a Detective from the Gila County Drug, Gang, and Violent Crimes Task Force attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle on Highway 87 near Ox Bow Estates. The vehicle failed to stop for the Deputy and fled however the vehicle was found a short time later abandoned near a residence in Ox Bow Estates. Assistance was requested from the Payson PD, Tonto Apache PD, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Helicopter.

A search warrant was executed on the vehicle and the Sheriff’s Office seized approximately 9.6 grams of methamphetamines with a street value of approximately $960.00, drug paraphernalia, checks and other financial instruments later determined to be connected to an active investigation with Payson PD.

After an extensive search, a male subject connected to the case was located on November 16, 2017, on Highway 87 near milepost 250 and identified as Charles Russell Chastain, 28 years old of Payson, Arizona. Chastain was taken into custody and was transported to the Payson Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.

Charles Chastain was later booked into the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Jail on the following charges:  Failure to Stop from Pursing Law Enforcement, Displaying a Fictious License Plate, Possession of a Dangerous Drug for Sale, Possession of a Dangerous Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, and Money Laundering.

The Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing an aggressive stance on the drug problems that impact our communities.  Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would like to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Payson Police Department and the Tonto Apache Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. 

Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would also like to thank the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for their continued funding of the Gila County Drug, Gang, and Violent Crimes Task Force which makes operations such as this possible.

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