Verbal altercation in church parking lot leads to meth trafficking arrests

(From the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)

Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a verbal altercation in a church parking lot in Scammon early Thursday afternoon.

Prior to their arrival, deputies were advised a woman involved in the altercation allegedly made threatening comments about a bomb being in the vehicle.

At that time, Kansas State Troopers and an Explosive Detection K9 Unit from the Quapaw Tribal Marshals Office then responded to assist.

The explosives K9 did not detect the presence of explosives, however a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Detection K9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs. When deputies searched the car, suspected methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered.

Arrested at the scene were 36-year-old Melissa (Rakestraw) Miranda and 60-year-old Kevin Gray, both of Pittsburg.

Both suspects were transported to the Cherokee County Jail where they are being held on allegations of Possessing Meth with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Miranda also faces an additional allegation of Criminal Threat.