~Mississippi County deputies arrest two persons
CHARLESTON -- Two Charleston residents are facing drug charges after an arrest earlier this month.
On Feb. 2, Mecca Pettigrew, 25, and Jason D. Murray, 27, were arrested under the supervision of Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore and Chief Deputy Charlie Marcum following an investigation led by Deputy Marc Tragesser, according to a press release from the sheriff's department.
Also assisting in the case were deputies David Watkins, James Fortner and Danny Harris and reserve officers Alvin Marcum and Randy Cook.
As the search of the residence which resulted in investigators finding marijuana, heroin and crack cocaine is located in government housing, Pettigrew is charged with two counts of distribution in or near government housing along with possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.
Murray, who was arrested on outstanding warrants for failure to appear and two counts of probation violations, is now is facing new charges including two counts of distribution in or near government housing, possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.
"This is the first arrest for heroin in several years," Moore said, noting that crack is much more common in this area.
"It is disturbing that innocent children are forced to live in a home where there are drugs and/or drug usage," Moore added. "If a child had ingested some of these drugs, the outcome could have easily been fatal."
Moore said whether parents are drug users or not, "it is their responsibility to keep their children safe and away from drugs and if they are unwilling to do so, my department and I will do our best to protect the children."
Pettigrew is currently being held in the Mississippi County Detention Center with a bond set at $100,000.
Murray is also at the Mississippi County Detention Center with a bond set at $111,500.