Operation Merry Christmas Nets 8 Arrests

Lewis County Regional Drug Task Force, along with deputies from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Centralia Police Department, Department of Corrections, and the Washington State Patrol, arrested eight people in “Operation Merry Christmas” on 12/22/11. 

The arrests resulted from a three month ongoing investigation by the Lewis County Regional Drug Task Force. At approximately 0900 hours on 12/22/11, a search warrant was served in the 100 block of Edmonds Road relating to the investigation. Arrested were:

• Sherri J. Hamrick, 46, of Packwood, for four counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• James D. Hamrick, 29, of Packwood, for two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of Firearm.
• Amaris R. Smith, 21, of Packwood, for Possession of Methamphetamine.

At approximately noon, a search warrant was served in the 6300 block of US Highway 12, Packwood. Arrested were:

• Brandon Piatt, 31, of Glenoma, for four counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• Sheila Schmitt, 44, of Morton, for Possession of Narcotics.

Three others were arrested for unrelated outstanding warrants:

• Bradley J. Miller, 35, of Packwood, was arrested in the 100 block of Mt Rainier Drive, Packwood, at approximately 0940 for an outstanding felony warrant.

• Effren E. Barron, 40, was arrested in the 12900 block of US Highway 12, Packwood, for an outstanding felony warrant at 0920.

• Venus D. Hamilton, 48, was arrested in the 900 block of Davis Lake Road, Morton, at approximately 1130 for Delivery of Methamphetamine.

All subjects mentioned were booked into the Lewis County Jail for their respective offenses.

“More arrests are expected in the east end for related offenses within the next two weeks. One Packwood resident came up to me, gave me a big hug and couldn’t thank us enough for cleaning out the drug dealers in her neighborhood. Santa Claus came to Packwood and Morton a few days early this year,” Sheriff Steve Mansfield said.

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