Steven Dennis Dixon	Kenneth Wayne Amerson	Brenda Lynn Barnes
Amanda Elizabeth Estes

     Four persons were arrested and jailed Tuesday morning, January 17th, on a variety of drug charges after officers from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Department, and 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force went to 252 Cochran Drive in rural Mountain Home after receiving a citizen tip that a person wanted for questioning in regards to a theft was there.

     The residence is the home of a probationer, STEVEN DENNIS DIXON, who has an active search waiver on file.  When officers arrived at the residence, a female refused to open the door of the residence to allow officers inside.  This person was later identified as BRENDA BARNES. Officers observed others inside the residence attempting to disperse and hide.  After several minutes, officers were allowed entry. BARNES stated that only she and one 16 year old juvenile were there and denied anyone else being present.

    Officers subsequently found STEVEN DIXON, AMANDA ESTES, and KENNETH AMERSON hiding in an attached garage adjoining the residence.  It was determined that AMANDA ESTES had an outstanding warrant for her arrest for failure to appear in court, as well as an outstanding civil body attachment.

     A search of the residence uncovered a variety of drugs.  These included approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 2 ounces of marijuana, approximately 9 tablets identified as Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone bitartrate, multiple loaded and used syringes, multiple sets of digital scales.  Other paraphernalia included smoking devices, torches, and baggies used for packaging.  In all, more than 40 unique items of evidence were seized from the residence, including a quantity of cash. 

     At the conclusion of the investigation, each of the adults were arrested and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.  They were booked on charges as indicated below:

STEVEN DENNIS DIXON, 50 years old of rural Mountain Home, charged with:

Possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of schedule II controlled substance – Felony
Possession of schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies
Possession of drug paraphernalia – Misdemeanor
Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile – Misdemeanor
Hindering apprehension – Misdemeanor
Habitual offender – Penalty Enhancement

     DIXON is currently being held in lieu of $15,000 bond.

BRENDA LYNN BARNES, 56 years old of Mountain Home, charged with:

Possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of schedule II controlled substance – Felony
Possession of schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies
Possession of drug paraphernalia – Misdemeanor
Contributing to delinquency of a juvenile – Misdemeanor
Hindering apprehension – Misdemeanor

     BARNES is currently being held in lieu of $10,000 bond.

KENNETH WAYNE AMERSON, 41 years old of Mountain Home, charged with:

Possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of schedule II controlled substance – Felony
Possession of schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of drug paraphernalia (3 counts) – Felonies
Possession of drug paraphernalia – Misdemeanor
Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile – Misdemeanor
Hindering apprehension – Misdemeanor

     AMERSON is currently being held in lieu of $10,000 bond.

     AMANDA ELIZABETH ESTES, 33 years old of rural Mountain Home, charged with:

Possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of schedule II controlled substance – Felony
Possession of schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver – Felony
Possession of drug paraphernalia (3 counts) – Felonies
Possession of drug paraphernalia – Misdemeanor
Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile – Misdemeanor
Hindering apprehension – Misdemeanor
Gross neglect of parental duty resulting in delinquency – Unclassified Offense

     ESTES is being held in lieu of $10,000 bond on these charges.  She also has a bond of $3,820 on the failure to appear warrant and civil body attachment.

     Each of these arrestees is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on January 26th to answer these charges.

     The 16 year old juvenile was taken into custody for drug paraphernalia possession as well and was turned over to Baxter County Juvenile Services.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff