A Montgomery County Sheriff's investigation leads to multiple arrests and drug seizures.
On December 30th, sheriff deputies attempted to stop a 2025 blue Nissan. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Cornel Owens, fled the scene, initiating a pursuit. Owens reached speeds of 66mph in a 30mph zone, 83mph in a 45mph zone and 108mph in a 65mph zone before eventually losing control and crashing. A search of Owens revealed 32 grams of marijuana, a 9mm handgun, five grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms and other illegal pills. Additionally, deputies found over nine ounces of methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Based on the evidence gathered, deputies, the Independence Police Department, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations executed a search warrant at 601 East Edison. Clifford Craft, Dylan Craft, Tabitha Parks and Chase Vankirk were arrested at the residence and methamphetamine, marijuana, various pills and drug paraphernalia were all seized. A four-year-old and a six-year-old were also at the residence and were placed in police protective custody. Owens is facing possession charges in addition to the traffic violations. The other four are all facing various drug-related charges.
