Damion Jackson McBride

Melissa Jeane Richards

     Two people have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after unlawfully entering into a house boat docked at the Buzzard Roost Marina on Lake Norfork.  Sheriff’s Corporal Kristofer Savino was dispatched to the Marina at approximately 9:58 AM today after an employee at the Marina reported he believed there to be unauthorized persons inside a house boat.

     After arriving at the Marina, Corporal Savino learned that the owner of the boat lives out of state.  Deputies ordered the persons inside the boat to exit, but they initially refused. A short time later, deputies found an unlocked window on the boat and entry was made.  Once inside the boat, deputies found two persons, identified later as 35 year old DAMION JACKSON McBRIDE of rural Mountain Home and 49 year old MELISSA JEANE RICHARDS of Mountain Home. 

     Deputies found evidence to believe these persons had been staying inside the boat for a period of time.  There were unmade beds, food debris, and evidence of smoking.  McBRIDE told deputies he had also gone aboard this house boat on previous occasions because it is usually unlocked. 

     Both McBRIDE and RICHARDS were arrested and transported to the Detention Center.  During processing, a Jailer found suspected marijuana inside RICHARDS’ purse.  They were charged as follows:

DAMION J. McBRIDE, charged with:

Residential Burglary – Felony
Criminal Mischief – Misdemeanor
Obstructing Governmental Operations – Misdemeanor

MELISSA JEANE RICHARDS, charged with:

Residential Burglary – Felony
Criminal Mischief – Misdemeanor
Obstructing Governmental Operations- Misdemeanor
Possession of Controlled Substance (Marijuana) – Misdemeanor

     Bond was set at $15,000 for each, and they will appear in Circuit Court on March 28^th.  The owner of the boat has been contacted and informed of the matter.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff