Three Tacna residents charged with drug-related offenses

A total of 14 felony charges have been filed against three Tacna residents arrested on drug-related offenses earlier this week after an investigation that started out as a possible child neglect case.

Robert Holmes, 45, and Carla Harris, 33, were each informed during their arraignments that criminal complaints had been filed against them charging them with one count of possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts each of possession of a weapon by a prohibited possessor.

Wayne Russell, 56, was also charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three were arraigned in Wellton Justice Court Thursday morning before Justice of the Peace Russ Jones, who set Holmes' and Harris' bonds at $150,000 and Russell's at $50,000. He also scheduled their preliminary hearings for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

According to Wellton police, officers received information on Monday that a 17-year-old male was suffering from an unknown rash that required medical attention, and that his mother had allegedly refused to provide the necessary treatment.

Sgt. David Rodriguez, of the Wellton Police Department, said the teenage boy has received treatment for the rash and is now staying with his grandparents in the Wellton area until his grandparents from another state come to pick him up.

“He will be living with them,” Rodriguez said.

On Monday, Wellton police and Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents served a warrant at 8826 S. Avenue 37E, where Holmes, Harris and Russell were found on the property, detained and later arrested. During the search, dangerous drugs, various caliber weapons, ammunition, marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia reportedly were found throughout the residence.

In addition, the residence was found to have no electricity for several days and no edible food.

Although no charges were filed in the case, Harris was one of three women arrested in July as part of an investigation into a series of burglaries in the Tacna area.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.