This afternoon, the Merrill Police Department released the name of a third individual arrested during a February 3rd Drug Bust at 610 East First Street.
During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, 17 year old Branden Erickson was located at the residence and taken into custody on multiple counts of Bail Jumping. According to additional information released by the department, Erickson was found to be “getting high” at the residence along with a 15 year old juvenile. Erickson appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Friday February 6th, facing seven charges of Misdemeanor-Bail Jumping. Erickson entered a plea of Not Guilty and was released on $500 cash bond and $3,500 signature bond. According to circuit court records, Erickson is not facing any charges directly related to the bust.
Two other parties involved; 41 year old Tabatha Roberts and 18 year old James Tudor were also released on Friday after posting $500 cash bonds and signing $7,500 signature bonds. Erickson and Roberts will re-appear in Lincoln County Circuit Court on February 26th, while Tudor’s next court date is set for March 16th. Roberts and Tudor face several felony and misdemeanor charges related to the bust, resulting in over a pound of marijuana being discovered as well as cocaine, a large amount of drug paraphernalia and evidence of drug distribution.