Five Arrested in Sweeping Drug Investigation

A number of long-term drug investigations culminated with the arrests of five people Wednesday.

Members of the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group, or WING, made the arrests. Members of the taskforce include local officers from the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, Sidney Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol, as well as other agencies in the Panhandle.

Arrested were Jerry R. Roa, 21, of Sidney for Delivery or Distribution of Marijuana, a Class II Felony; Jose Hernandez, 35, of Gurley for Delivery of Methamphetamine, a Class II Felony; Travis Graham (AKA Travis Stott), 18, of Sidney, for Delivery or Distribution of Marijuana, a Class II Felony; Kandy L. Cook, 43, of Potter, for Delivery or Distribution of Hydrocodone, a Class IIA Felony; and Matthew L. Cleays, 35, of Sidney, for Delivery of Methamphetamine, a Class II Felony.

According to arrest affidavits, all of the arrests were made using information gained during buys set up with officers using CIs (cooperating individuals). During the investigations, CIs set up drug buys under officer supervision. Buys were made at area homes and near one business at the east interchange.

In one case, arrest information alleges that a subject, Cook, took the drugs, Hydrocodone, she sold from a person for whom she was serving as caregiver.

The cases originated from controlled drug buys set up since November of 2018 through January of this year.

Travis Graham, has been released on bond of $25,000 10-percent. The remainder of those arrested were still in custody as of Thursday morning with the following bonds: Kandy Cook, bond $25,000 10-percent, Matthew Cleays, bond $75,000 10-percent, Jose Hernandez, bond $50,000 10-percent, Jerry Roa, bond $25,000 10-percent.

In a statement included with the release of the arrest information, Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub said additional arrests are expected to come out of the investigations.