Drug unit rounds up suspects on various charges

The Coffee County Drug Unit announces the following recent arrests:

Aug. 12 - The Coffee County Drug Unit conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle driven by Roy Mathew McDonald due to knowledge of McDonald having active arrest warrants for trafficking methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. McDonald was placed under arrest, and suspected methamphetamine was found on his person. Along with the previous warrants, McDonald now faces an additional charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Aug. 17 - Coffee County drug agents arrested Tonya Brittany Kirkland for her involvement in a case involving the previously named Roy Mathew McDonald. Kirkland faced charges of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Aug. 18 - The Coffee County Drug Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane of travel. The driver, later identified as Norman Leonard Bass, refused to stop and led deputies on a vehicle pursuit. A spike strip deployment was made, and Bass' vehicle was successfully disabled. During the incident, Bass discarded a quantity of suspected methamphetamine from the window before coming to a stop. Bass was placed under arrest and charged with possession of methamphetamine, fleeing or attempting to elude, and several additional traffic related charges.

Aug. 18 - While conducting surveillance on a reported drug house in the Oak Park Community, drug agents observed a vehicle leaving the residence with nonfunctional tag lights. A Coffee County K9 deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and a subsequent search was conducted. Suspected methamphetamine and drug related objects were located. As a result, Benny Bolen was placed under arrest and charged with possession of methamphetamine. Alexa Lee Austin was also placed under arrest and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects. Bolen was previously arrested on drug and firearm charges earlier in August 2021. Austin also faced a separate charge of sale of methamphetamine from a prior case earlier this year.