Sheriff’s agents arrest three in Jones County drug investigation
Three people were arrested following a narcotics investigation at a residence on the 300 block of Trace Road in Jones County on March 23, the Jones County Sheriff’s Department said.
Sheriff’s narcotics agents and investigators went to the home to serve a Jones County Circuit Court bench warrant on Stephanie Williams, 51, the department said. As officers arrived, authorities said a man identified as John Smith, 37, also known as “Smitty,” ran from the scene and tossed what investigators said was suspected fentanyl while fleeing across a nearby field.
Investigators said officers caught Smith but that he resisted, broke free and fled again before being taken into custody after a second foot chase. Authorities said they found a bag of suspected methamphetamine in Smith’s pocket and later executed a search warrant at the Trace Road residence, recovering additional suspected narcotics.
The sheriff’s department said homeowner Richard Cockrell, 66, was charged with possession of a controlled substance identified as methamphetamine. Williams, Smith and Cockrell were each charged with possession of a controlled substance. Smith also faces charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. All three were booked into the Jones County Adult Detention Facility pending an initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court, the department said.
The department said its Narcotics Division worked 186 felony narcotics cases in 2025 and had opened 55 cases through March 20, 2026, nearly 30% of last year’s total. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
