In a joint operation, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Special Operations Division, aided by the Special Response Team (SRT), Texas Department of Public Safety, and Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Spanish Oak Lane, Center Point. The operation, which took place on September 29, 2023, was a result of weeks-long intelligence gathered during an investigation into alleged methamphetamine distribution in Kerr County.
Intelligence obtained from the ongoing investigation led law enforcement officers to the location where the illegal drug distribution was suspected to be taking place. During the operation, a total of thirteen individuals were identified as allegedly being involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics. The suspects were also linked to various outstanding warrants and felony charges.
Approximately four ounces of methamphetamine were seized during the execution of the search warrant and subsequent traffic stops. Among the arrested individuals are John Kimmie James Sr, 54, of Center Point, who was booked into the Kerr County Jail on one count of Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance, PG1, >=4G<200G, with bond set at $35,000. Mr. James also faces an additional Assault/Family Violence warrant from Jefferson County, Texas.
Stephen Kay Thorp, 42, of Bandera, was arrested and booked into the Kerr County Jail on one count of Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance, PG1, >=4G<200G, with bond set at $35,000. Kiara Lynn Leone, 24, of Houston, was apprehended due to an outstanding felony theft warrant from Harris County. Alberto Gillian Briones, 26, of Center Point, was arrested on an outstanding local felony warrant for graffiti and booked into the Kerr County Jail.
Sheriff Larry Leitha commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, stating, “This operation is the culmination of several weeks of careful work by our Special Operations Division. We appreciate the assistance from the local community and from our law enforcement colleagues across multiple agencies. Over a dozen officers and deputies coordinated their efforts to take on this challenging case. There is no safe haven in Kerr County for drug dealers. KCSO, working with our partners, continues to interrupt criminal drug and smuggling networks. The volume of methamphetamine coming from this single location was very concerning and our narcotics team will deliver strong cases to our DAs for prosecution.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and further charges may be added or modified as the case progresses. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
