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Seven arrested on drug charges over weekend
Warrants, traffic stops, lead to arrests
Leroy William Bowers 2019
Leroy William Bowers

A search warrant was executed at 8:57 p.m. Friday at 1443 18th St. The K-9 unit was deployed and three Great Bend residents were arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Tracy Diann Thacker, 57, was booked on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine; Shon Wayne Rome, 43, was booked on charges of possession of meth and drug paraphernalia; and John Paul Melton, 47, was booked on charges of possession of meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The GBPD K-9 Menta was also used when a traffic stop was made at 11:03 p.m. Friday at 7th and Washington for an alleged traffic violation. Menta indicated there was an odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle, which was searched by officers. They reportedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, illegal depressants and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Two more Great Bend residents were arrested and booked into the jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Ryan Monique Rakel, 26 was booked on charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Ouray Marceaux Gray, 32 was booked on charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, distribution of a simulated substance, possession of a depressant, illegal tint, tag light, and no insurance.

At 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Gwen Danea Finnigan, 37, Great Bend, who was on a bicycle, was arrested during a traffic stop at 7th and Washington on charges of possession of meth and paraphernalia, and for improper equipment on a bicycle. Her book-in information indicates this could be “lamps, brakes (or) other equipment.” Her bond was set at $10,000.

Sunday afternoon, Leroy William Bowers, 35, of Great Bend was arrested at the Super 8 motel, 911 Grant, on five outstanding warrants. These included Great Bend Municipal Court and Barton County District Court warrants for failure to appear and contempt of court.

In reference to Bowers’s arrest, the Great Bend Police Department reports officers were dispatched to the motel at approximately 4:15 p.m. after receiving a report of a suspicious person on the property. They made contact with Bowers inside the business but he initially provided officers with a false name.

Officers were able to identify Bowers, who was wanted on five warrants. When he was placed under arrest, Bowers was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, with bond set at $10,000.

Anyone with information regarding these cases or any criminal matter is asked to contact the GBPD by calling 620-793-4120. Persons may also leave anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers, 792-1300.

This story was modified in the afternoon of Sept. 30, 2019, to clarify Bowers's charges and update information on the arrests.