Police arrest seven on drug, weapon related charges

FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County officials announced today the arrest of seven people in connection with various drug and weapon related crimes.

Detectives with the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force learned Monday a group in Tontitown intended to sell several ounces of methamphetamine.

Detectives made an undercover drug buy and arrested two people. The drug buy led detectives to an address in Tontitown. A search of the Tontitown home resulted in the seizure of approximately three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine and a firearm.

One of the suspects was picked up by an accomplice driving a stolen vehicle. Arkansas Highway Patrol officers stopped the vehicle.

Drug Task Force detectives, with assistance from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Highway Patrol and the Tontitown Police Department, arrested Roger Martin, 50, of Gentry; Cynthia Meadors, 46, of Tontitown; Ryan Headrick, 33, of Jenks, Okla.; and Joseph Raniewicz, 37, of Tulsa, Okla. fall in connection with trafficking of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Headrick was also arrested on a charge of possession of firearm by certain persons prohibited and simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm.

Also arrested was Alfonso Herrera, 39, of Springdale in connection with possession of a controlled substance -- methamphetamine; Kenneth Howell, 53, in connection with possession of drug paraphernalia; and Anita Mann, 35, of Fayetteville in connection with theft by receiving.

The task force is comprised of officers representing Farmington, Fayetteville, Greenland, Goshen, Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Springdale and West Fork police departments and deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.