HEROIN SEIZURE AND ARREST

Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team

On Tuesday, April 9th, 2019, DINT arrested 29 year old Rickey Whitehurst of Winston on numerous charges.

Whitehurst had been wanted for over a year, having outstanding warrants for his arrest for Failure to Appear on the crimes of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Attempting to Elude an Officer, Reckless Driving, and Interfering with a Police Officer. 

In addition to being a wanted individual, DINT had credible information Whitehurst had been distributing large amounts of drugs from his Winston area home and began an investigation that lasted more than two months.  The investigation culminated Tuesday evening when DINT arrested Whitehurst in his vehicle in the 200 block of NW Civil Bend Avenue in Winston at approximately 7:00 PM.  Another occupant of the vehicle, 20 year old Tessa Smithey of Sutherlin was also arrested.  Both were found to be in possession of small amounts of heroin.

DINT immediately followed up the arrests with a search of Whitehurst's residence a short distance away, also in the 200 block of NW Civil Bend Avenue in Winston.  DINT detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and during the search, DINT seized almost a half pound of brown powder heroin (commonly known as "Gunpowder" heroin), a small amount of white powder heroin (commonly known as "China White"), approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine,  a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a large amount of cash, and a substantial amount of other narcotics related evidence.

Whitehurst's residence is in close proximity to McGovern Elementary School in Winston.  There are special statutes related to certain controlled susbstance crimes that occur within 1,000 feet of a school, and some of those apply in this case.

Whitehurst was transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was lodged on the outstanding warrants for his arrest, as well as the following new charges:

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon

Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine

Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine

Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine within 1,000' of a School

Unlawful Possession of Heroin

Unlawful Delivery of Heroin

Unlawful Delivery of Heroin within 1,000' of a School

Unlawful Possession of Cocaine

Tessa Smithey was lodged at the Douglas County Jail and charged with the following crimes:

Unlawful Possession of Heroin

Parole Violation

DINT was assisted in this case by the Winston Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and the Roseburg Police Department, specifically with their drug detection K-9, Trapper.