Stephen Paul Blair

Nancy Rae Willett

     Two people were arrested on felony drug charges after the driver of the vehicle they were in committed a traffic violation and were pulled over by a deputy.

     On Saturday, June 27th at approximately 12:44 AM, Sheriff's Corporal Craig Gates clocked a speeding vehicle on radar on Baxter CR 57, and he initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup truck.  He approached and made contact with the driver, who produced identification showing her to be NANCY RAE WILLETT.  During this initial contact, it was determined that the license plates on the truck were fictitious and belonged on a 1986 Ford pickup truck. 

     There was one passenger in the vehicle.  He identified himself as STEPHEN PAUL BLAIR, although he gave a false date of birth.  Comparing the name with information previously on file in the Detention Center's booking system allowed his correct date of birth to be determined.  BLAIR was then run through the National Crime Information Center computer database and found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in court from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Salem.  BLAIR was arrested and taken into custody on the warrant.

     The driver, NANCY WILLETT, was then asked for and gave permission and consent to search the vehicle.  During the subsequent search, deputies found a container with suspected methamphetamine residue.  They also found various components for a methamphetamine lab in the vehicle, including a propane cylinder and two bottles containing a liquid substance labeled as "ACID".   A methamphetamine smoking device was also located, as was $509.00 in cash hidden underneath a floor mat.

     NANCY WILLETT and STEPHEN BLAIR were both transported to the Detention Center.  At the Detention Center, NANCY WILLETT was also found to have another methamphetamine smoking device concealed under her bra.  They were booked on charges as follows:

STEPHEN PAUL BLAIR, 52 years old of Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, charged with:

Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Felony
Fail to Appear Hold - Fulton County Warrant

NANCY RAE WILLETT, 50 years old of rural Gassville, charged with:

Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Felony

     BLAIR and WILLETT were given a bond of $15,000 each.  WILLETT posted bond for her release and will appear in Circuit Court to answer on July 16th.  BLAIR remains in custody and will make a first appearance in court this week.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff