‘Operation Knot My Valentine’: 19 arrested following criminal street-gang activity investigation in Sikeston

Lt. Scott Kim with Sikeston Department of Public Safety, right, and New Madrid County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Hise place an individual under arrest early Thursday, Feb. 15 during the warrant roundup, designated as “Operation Knot My Valentine,” which led to the arrest of several suspected members of the “Knotboys” or “WYHA” street gang. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — A lengthy, multi-agency investigation of criminal street-gang activities led to the arrest of 19 individuals early Thursday, Feb. 15 in Sikeston.

According to Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety, officers with the Sikeston DPS, with the help of numerous area law enforcement agencies, served several criminal arrest warrants early Thursday morning following the criminal investigation.

A Scott County Grand Jury, empaneled late last year, returned indictments on 25 individuals for knowingly participating in criminal street-gang activities. The warrant roundup, designated as “Operation Knot My Valentine,” led to the arrest of several suspected members of the “Knotboys” or “WYHA” street gang.

Rowe said the investigation stemmed from the analysis of criminal incidents occurring over the past three years. These incidents involved shootings or reports of shots fired that were tied to Knotboys members and their activities, Rowe said.

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Of the 25 indictments, 19 have been arrested and are being held in jail on the Scott County indictment with $100,000 cash-only bonds.

Arrested were” Joe Alexander Jr., Ja’Melvion Banks, Jaden Blackmon, Kevontae Boone, Michael Coaker Jr., Demadre Davis, Zakobian Jackson, Deonundre Johnson, Jamarius Johnson, Decalan Little, Tyrone McClinton Jr., Latreyveon McCray, Trevion Moore, Jason Moore II, Kanye Parker, Rasheid Parker, Tayshaun Price-Lane, Paul Safford and Cordaius Webb.

Jamarius Johnson, Latreyveon McCray and another individual face additional charges stemming from a fraud investigation. At this time, additional arrests are still pending, Rowe said.

Rowe said Sikeston DPS commends the following agencies for their assistance: Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard, New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, South Scott County EMS, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service.

Sikeston Department of Public Safety Chief James McMillen addresses his officers along with those from multiple area agencies during a briefing early Thursday, Feb. 15 at DPS headquarters in Sikeston. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)