Sheriff Brian Bellendir announced that sheriff’s deputies and detectives executed two search warrants on Friday, resulting in four arrests. One-fourth pound of suspected methamphetamine was seized along with illegal weapons.

According to a news release issued Saturday, deputies had been conducting an ongoing investigation that resulted in a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Fry Street in Great Bend. Eric Duerksen, age 25, of Great Bend, was arrested at the scene. Duerksen had a outstanding no bond warrant for a probation violation and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Duerksen is also a registered offender for violent crimes. He was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail without incident. He was charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm and corrections violation. He is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond for the weapons and distribution charges and no bond on the corrections violation. 

Deputies later proceeded to the 300 block of West K-4, just west of Hoisington, and executed a search warrant there. Deputies gained entry to the rural residence without incident where they discovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. There were juvenile children in the residence at the time of the search warrant. A firearm was also located at the location. Erin Burton, age 33, of rural Hoisington, was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail on distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine. Burton is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond. Four juveniles were taken into protective custody.

At about 3:45 p.m. sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant in the 2200 block of 25th St. in Great Bend. At this location Sheriff’s deputies found a sawed-off shotgun, methamphetamine and stolen property.

Two arrests were made at this location. Garrett Sigmund, age 18, of Stafford, was arrested for a corrections violation from the Barton County District Court as well as possession of methamphetamine. Sigmund is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the possession charge and no bond on the corrections violation. Also arrested at the scene was Christopher Stamm, age 40, of Great Bend. Stamm was arrested for two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Stamm has since posted a $50,000 bond and was released. He was out on bond for previous drug charges at the time of his arrest Friday.

“In all, approximately a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine and several illegal firearms were removed from the streets,” Bellendir stated. “The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the rural Hoisington location by the Juvenile Justice Authority.”