Over the past few weeks, the Yazoo City Police Department has removed about three pounds of marijuana and about ten firearms off the streets.
And Interim Police Chief Jay Winstead said his department is just getting started.
“We are proud of the fact that we have removed three pounds of pot and about ten firearms, including assault-style weapons, off the streets of Yazoo City,” Winstead said. “We are going to continue our efforts and also begin partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to keep this momentum going.”
Winstead said he is also going to begin recognizing officers who have proven to be instrumental in removing these dangers out of the community.
“They deserve credit because it is them who are out on the front line,” Winstead said. “These officers will be getting the recognition for the arrests they have made. I hope the community sees the dangers and sacrifices these officers make every day.”
Sgt. Joseph Pinkston was the first officer honored for his arrest of Markel Nelson, which removed 2.3 ounces of marijuana, 2.3 ounces of meth, 170 ecstasy pills and a handgun off the streets of Yazoo City.
“These operations over the last couple of weeks will continue to be our focus,” Winstead said. “During my term as interim chief of the police department, we will attack these crimes at full force. These crimes are dangerous for our society and for ourselves.”
Nelson was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated domestic violence and aggravated assault.
Capt. William Nevels said the arrest stemmed from a domestic violence incident last Wednesday.
“Nelson was pulled over while driving in his vehicle on West Sixth Street in reference to a domestic violence call from earlier that evening,” Nevels said. “Once officers searched his vehicle, they discovered scales, a large amount of money, a weapon and a number of controlled substances.”
Officers removed 2.3 ounces of marijuana, 2.3 ounces of meth and 170 ecstasy pills off the streets of Yazoo City.
There was also an aggravated assault warrant for Nelson, who was also a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.