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Potter County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
DATE: February 17, 2015
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sheriff Brian Thomas
INCIDENT REPORT #: 15-02511
INCIDENT TYPE: Narcotics
LOCATION: I-40 and Mile Marker 56
DETAILS:
On February 17, 2015, at about 8:40 a.m., a Potter County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2015
Chrysler at I-40 W. and MM 56. The vehicle was occupied by two subjects, the driver, Thomas Race,
age 39 and passenger, Jason Dirks, age 33, both from Lawton, Ok. The deputy asked for permission to
search the vehicle after becoming suspicious of criminal activity. Race denied consent to search the
vehicle and the Potter County K9 unit was summoned to assist. The K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics
coming from the vehicle and it was searched. About 86 grams of methamphetamine were found
concealed in a drinking cup in the back seat area. Also, a small amount of heroin was found hidden
within the methamphetamine. Both were arrested and booked into the Potter County Detention
Center. Race was booked on three felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the
methamphetamine, heroin, and for methadone found on him during the booking process. Dirks was
booked on two felony charges for Possession of Controlled Substance for the heroin and
methamphetamine. The street value of the methamphetamine is about $8600. It is believed the
methamphetamine was being transported from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
SUBJECT(S) DESCRIPTION:
CHARGES:
WEAPON DESCRIPTION:
WAS VICTIM’S NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED:
YES
NO
Potter County Sheriff’s Office, 608 S. Pierce, Amarillo, TX 79101 – 806.379.2900
Potter County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
DATE: 02-12-15
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sheriff Brian Thomas
INCIDENT REPORT #: 15-02210
INCIDENT TYPE: Narcotics
LOCATION: I-40 and Soncy
DETAILS: On February 11, 2015 at about 9:00 a.m., a Potter County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic
stop at I-40 W. and Soncy Rd. on a 2015 Kia Optima for a traffic law violation. The vehicle was occupied by
two subjects, the driver of the vehicle, Xiong Chongneng, age 43 and Abraham Vang, age 44, who was a
passenger. Both subjects showed to have addresses from Milwaukee, Wi. During the traffic stop, the deputy
became suspicious of criminal activity and asked for consent to search the vehicle. Chongneng denied the
deputy consent to search the vehicle. The Potter County K-9 unit was summoned and the K-9 conducted a
free air sniff around the vehicle and it alerted to the odor of narcotics emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle
was then searched and 59 individual packages containing marijuana were found in the trunk. The packages
were inside three trash bags, one gray nylon bag, and a suitcase. The marijuana weighed about 74 lbs. and is
valued at $259,000. Chongneng and Vang were both arrested for 2nd degree felony of Possession of
Marijuana over 50 lbs./under 2,000 lbs. and booked into the Potter County Detention Center. It is believed the
marijuana was being transported from California to Missouri.
SUBJECT(S) DESCRIPTION:
CHARGES:
WEAPON DESCRIPTION:
WAS VICTIM’S NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED:
YES
NO
Potter County Sheriff’s Office, 608 S. Pierce, Amarillo, TX 79101 – 806.379.2900
Potter County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
DATE: 02/07/15
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sheriff Brian Thomas
INCIDENT REPORT #: 15-01996
INCIDENT TYPE: Deadly Conduct
LOCATION: Western and Fairway
DETAILS: On 02/07/15 at approximately 2:35am a Potter County Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a motor
vehicle in the area of Western and Fairway. Shortly after making contact with the occupants, it was learned
the passenger had an outstanding arrest warrant out of the Amarillo Police Department. A second Potter
County patrol unit arrived on scene and the Amarillo Police Department was notified and summoned to take
custody of the arrested party. As the APD unit arrived on scene, multiple gunshots were heard in the area of
Hester and Hester, northwest of their location. Deputies reported hearing spent rounds flying in their
immediate area, ricocheting rounds, and a dull thud. However, no vehicles and or muzzle flash was seen.
Approximately 6 gunshots were heard as the officers took cover behind their vehicles. Deputies notified
Potter County Dispatch of the gunshots and requested additional units to the scene to assist. After a short
period, and no additional gunshots were heard, deputies began to inspect their units for damage. Deputies
noticed the right rear window of one of the patrol units shattered and what appeared to be a single bullet
impact point. During this same timeframe, deputies heard police radio traffic indicating other Amarillo Police
units were being dispatched to the area of Colonial Street on gunshots. Colonial street is in the area of
Western and Fairway and deputies went to that location where they met with officers of the Amarillo Police
Department. There, deputies learned a rear door of a residence had been broken out reportedly from a bullet.
Deputies and APD Officers were able to establish trajectory of the bullet entering the home and estimated the
origin to be in the area of Hester and Hester, north to northwest of the damaged home. Deputies went to the
Hester and Hester intersection where they recovered some evidence. Presently there are no suspects and the
investigation is ongoing. The public is encouraged to contact Amarillo Crime Stoppers or the Potter County
Sheriff’s Office if they have any information about this crime.
SUBJECT(S) DESCRIPTION:
CHARGES:
WEAPON DESCRIPTION:
WAS VICTIM’S NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED:
YES
NO
Potter County Sheriff’s Office, 608 S. Pierce, Amarillo, TX 79101 – 806.379.2900
Potter County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
DATE: 02-03-15
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sheriff Brian Thomas
INCIDENT REPORT #: 15-01680
INCIDENT TYPE: Narcotics
LOCATION: I-40 and MM
DETAILS: On February 2, 2015, a Potter County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2015 Toyota
Corolla for a traffic offense on I-40 and mile marker 59. The vehicle was occupied by 3 subjects, 30 year old,
Roshay Griffin, from St. Louis, Mo., 39 year old, Kanandez Eppreson, from Delaware and a 19 year old
passenger. During the traffic stop, the deputy became suspicious that criminal activity was occurring and
asked for consent to search the vehicle. The driver denied consent and the Potter County K9 unit was used
around the vehicle. The K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle and it was then searched.
Five individually sealed packages totaling about 5 lbs. of marijuana, were found secreted in a bag inside the
trunk. Eppreson and Griffin were arrested and each charged with Possession of Marijuana, a 3rd degree felony,
and booked into the Potter County Detention Center. It is believed the marijuana was being transported from
California to St. Louis, Mo. The value of the seized marijuana is about $17,500. The 19 year old passenger
was released and not charged at this time.
SUBJECT(S) DESCRIPTION:
CHARGES:
WEAPON DESCRIPTION:
WAS VICTIM’S NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED:
YES
NO
Potter County Sheriff’s Office, 608 S. Pierce, Amarillo, TX 79101 – 806.379.2900