Dateline: May 8, 2003

Troopers arrest two, seize $9k

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

State troopers seized $9,000 in cash and arrested two people on drug-related charges in Donley County last Wednesday.

Rodney Neff, age 31, of Clairemore, Okla., and Karen Mendez, age 23, of Apple Valley, Calif., were stopped for speeding on I-40 by DPS Troopers Lynn Mays and Chad Simpson. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded crack cocaine, Xanax, Valium, marijuana, and criminal equipment.

Neff and Mendez were booked into the Donley County Jail on first degree felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, third degree felony charges of money laundering, and misdemeanor charges of Possession of Marijuana.  Neff was also charged with misdemeanor Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.

Also assisting with the arrests and seizure were Sheriff Butch Blackburn and Deputies Randy Bond, Brady Bishop, Kelly Hill, and Joe Mesza.