J. C. PAYNE, 3rd

DANNY JOE CLIFFT

TINA LOUISE AMARAL

     Two men and one woman were arrested Tuesday afternoon, January 8th, when officers conducted a probation home visit in the Henderson area at the home of 37 year old TINA LOUISE AMARAL.  While at that residence they also found another probationer there, identified as 52 year old J. C. PAYNE 3rd.  Upon inquiry, PAYNE informed officers he was staying at different address in Henderson, 43 Greenleaf Lane, but that his Probation Officer was not aware he was living there.

     Officers then accompanied PAYNE to the house on Greenleaf Lane to investigate further.  Upon their arrival, officers observed 66 year old DANNY JOE CLIFFT coming out of the residence carrying a clear Ziploc style bag.  When CLIFFT saw the officers, he went back inside the house, and officers saw him conceal the plastic bag inside his washing machine.

     Officers entered the residence and retrieved the bag from the washing machine.  Inside the bag was approximately 10 grams of marijuana, smoking devices, and other miscellaneous items.  When CLIFFT was asked why he was carrying the bag and then concealed it, he advised that TINA AMARAL had called him on the phone and warned him that officers were headed to the house to search PAYNE’S room and he was trying to get rid of the drug evidence.  When CLIFFT was asked to provide photo identification, officers observed a large sum of cash inside his wallet, which CLIFFT could not provide a believable explanation for having. 

    PAYNE’S room was then searched.  Officers found approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine, additional marijuana, smoking devices, and a set of digital scales commonly used for the distribution of methamphetamine.  An additional large sum of cash was later found in CLIFFT’s pants pocket.  The total amount of cash located on CLIFFT was $1,668.00, which was seized as evidence of drug distribution, pending orders of the court as to its ultimate disposal.

     C. PAYNE 3rd and DANNY JOE CLIFFT were both taken into custody and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center on charges of:

     C. PAYNE 3rd, charged with:

Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) with Purpose to Deliver– Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts) – Felonies
Possession of Controlled Substance (marijuana) – Misdemeanor

     PAYNE was released after posting $15,000 bond with an appearance in the Circuit Court set for January 17th.

     DANNY JOE CLIFFT, charged with:

Tampering With Physical Evidence – Felony
Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance (marijuana) – Misdemeanor

     CLIFFT was released after posting $10,000 bond with an appearance in the Circuit Court also set for January 17th.

     Officers later returned to the residence or probationer TINA LOUISE AMARAL and took her into custody.  She was also taken to the Detention Center and booked on a charge of:

Obstructing Governmental Operations – Misdemeanor

     AMARAL was released from custody after posting bond in the amount of $270 and will appear in the District Court to answer on January 17th.

     Agencies involved in the arrests were the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Mountain Home Police Department.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff