Task Force arrests several suspected meth dealers

Members of the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Oroville Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency executed three search warrants in Oroville including on a house on the corner of Ironwood Street and Central Ave. and the recreational vehicle parked outside. The search warrants were the culmination of a three-month investigation in which undercover officers made 11 purchases of methamphetamine and resulted in several arrests in Oroville, as well as Tonasket. Gary DeVon/staff photo
Members of the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Oroville Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency executed three search warrants in Oroville including on a house on the corner of Ironwood Street and Central Ave. and the recreational vehicle parked outside.
The search warrants were the culmination of a three-month investigation in which undercover officers made 11 purchases of methamphetamine and resulted in several arrests in Oroville, as well as Tonasket. Gary DeVon/staff photo

Search Warrants served in Oroville and Tonasket

“The majority of those arrested during the warrant service were part of a methamphetamine distribution organization. Steve Brown, Commander NCW Narcotics Task Force

OROVILLE – A three-month long undercover investigation by the North Central Washington Drug Task Force into illegal drug sales netted several arrests in the Oroville area last Thursday, April 21.

During the investigation the Task Force conducted 11 different operations where methamphetamine was purchased, according to Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Brown, with the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and commander of the NCWNTF.

The Narcotics Task Force, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Oroville Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency executed three search warrants in Oroville around 6 a.m. on Thursday morning.

“The majority of those arrested during the warrant service were part of a methamphetamine distribution organization in Okanogan County,” said Brown in a media release.

Among the Oroville officers participating were Officer Deis (above) Officer Koutelieris, and Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill.
Among the Oroville officers participating were Officer Deis (above) Officer Koutelieris, and Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill.

Warrants were served in Oroville on two homes on Ironwood Street and a motorhome parked at the corner of Ironwood and Central Avenue. Additionally, a fourth warrant was executed on Saturday, April 23 by the Task Force and Tonasket Police Department at a motel room in Tonasket. During the execution of the four warrants detectives located methamphetamine, pills, cash and six firearms.

At the Ironwood and Central residence Christopher Alan Reed, 33, Oroville, was arrested on delivery of methamphetamine charges; his mother Dona Castillo Reed, 51, on possession of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms; his father, Richard Alan Reed, 55, on possession of methamphetamine. All three are Oroville residents. Kevin Earl Devine, 44, of Oroville, was arrested on delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and Regina Delores Cook, 54, of Oroville/Loomis, was arrested on delivery of methamphetamine charges.

That day the Task Force made inquiries of the neighbors about whether anyone had seen a bald man in the vicinity of the Reed home. Crecencio Perez, 40, Oroville was later located on Saturday, April 23 in a motel room in Tonasket. He was arrested on delivery and possession of methamphetamine charges.

An additional search warrant was executed on the motel room and detectives located cash and methamphetamine in the room, according to Chief Deputy Brown.

“Perez was also the subject of a methamphetamine investigation done by the Task Force in 2004 in which he was arrested for delivery of methamphetamine,” said Brown.

In addition, Sardina Marie Nelson, 21, Oroville, was arrested on two warrants for failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge and failure to appear on an obstruction/resisting arrest charge and Carrie Marie Leslie, 40, Tonasket was arrested on a felony warrant for failure to appear on a second degree burglary charge.

Police are still looking for another suspect, Christella Marlene Gregory, 43, Oroville.

“Gregory was not arrested, however she is currently being sought by the task force in connection with this investigation,” said Brown. “Probable cause exists for the arrest of Gregory for multiple counts of delivery of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.”

Gregory said anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gregory was encouraged to contact the Okanogan County Dispatch at 509-422-7232.

Christella Marlene Gregory

Carrie Marie Leslie

Christopher Alan Reed

Crecencio Perez

Donna Castillo Reed

Kevin Earl Devine

Regina Delores Cook

Richard Alan Reed

Sandina Marie Nelson