TRAFFIC STOPS LEADS TO DRUG ARRESTS

January 9, 2017

On January 6, 2017, Tishomingo Sheriff Deputies conducted a traffic stop on CR 311 in the Burnsville area. The vehicle was traveling very slow and pulled off to the side of the roadway. The deputies, thinking that the vehicle or the driver was having some type of trouble, pulled in behind the vehicle. After the deputies spoke with the driver and asked for his license, the driver could not produce his driver’s license. Due to the driver acting very nervous, the deputies asked the driver did he have anything illegal in his vehicle to which the driver stated he did not and gave permission for the deputies to search his vehicle. The deputies did so and located a bag of alleged METHAMPHETAMINE that was in the vehicle. The driver was then transported to the Tishomingo County Jail.

STEVEN GAINES, 42-year-old, white male of 194 HWY 72 Burnsville, Mississippi was officially charged with FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (METHAMPHETAMINE). GAINES is currently in custody at the Tishomingo County Jail awaiting bond to be set by Justice Court.

On January 7, 2017, Tishomingo Sheriff’s Deputies along with Iuka Police Department, conducted a traffic stop on HWY 72 for improper equipment. Once the vehicle was stopped, the deputies witnessed the passenger in the vehicle acting very suspicious. The officers asked and were given, PERMISSION TO SEARCH of the vehicle by the driver. During the search, officers found approximately 9 bags of alleged METHAMPHETAMINE throughout the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the Tishomingo County Jail.

CHRISTOPHER VANBIBBER, 32-year-old, white male, of 400 West Eastport Street Iuka, Mississippi was officially charged with FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (METHAMPHETAMINE) W/INTENT TO SELL. VANBIBBER is currently in custody at the Tishomingo County Jail awaiting bond to be set by Justice Court.

NICOLE HUGHES, 45-year-old, white female, of 100 McClain Row South Apt#150 Tuscumbia, Alabama was officially charged with FELONY POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (METHAMPHETAMINE) W/INTENT TO SELL. HUGHES is also currently in custody at the Tishomingo County Jail awaiting bond to be set by Justice Court.

**** UPDATE ****

January 13, 2017

Tishomingo Sheriff’s Department has officially charged CHRISTOPHER VANBIBBER with POSSESSION OF COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTES. VANBIBBER was in possession of these alleged counterfeit bank notes at the time of the initial traffic stop. Investigators begin working the case and located and found what the investigators believed to be used in the manufacturing of the alleged counterfeit bank notes. VANBIBBER’s bond was set by Justice Court at $10,000.00. The United Secret Service has been contacted due to the manufacturing of the alleged counterfeit bank notes. The Tishomingo Sheriff’s Department states that this is still an ongoing active investigation.

Sheriff John Daugherty

STEVEN GAINES	CHRISTOPHER VANBIBBER	NICOLE HUGHES