MARKSVILLE – Avoyelles Parish sheriff’s investigators have arrested 17 suspects, most of them on drug charges, as part of continued undercover investigations.

Sheriff Doug Anderson said 15 of the 17 suspects face drug charges. The two other suspects are Kenneth Dixon, 34, of Marksville, charged with failure to register as a sex offender; and Thomas Mason, 27, of Marksville, charged with failure to appear.

The other suspects, who were arrested Monday, face a variety of drug charges involving suspected illegal distribution and possession of quantities of crack cocaine, marijuana and illicit pills. Deputies seized a variety of illegal drugs and firearms during the arrest phase of the operation.

The 15 drug suspects arrested during the undercover operation and their charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office, are:

»Allen Ariza, 62, of Marksville, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

»Erica N. Briggs, 22, of Marksville, possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Nicky J. Gaspard, 27, of Moreauville, possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Calvin Green, 32, of Marksville, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Baracus Greenhouse, 25, of Marksville, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Sidney E. James, 26, of Marksville, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Homer Keno, 59, of Marksville, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possessing and dealing firearms with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

»Kelly Ray Lachney, 31, of Marksville, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Diane D. Mayeaux, 33, of Moreauville, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

»Brooke Moreau, 27, of Evergreen, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, theft of goods.

»Kelly Joe Sanders, 34, no address given, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, theft of goods.

»Roman T. Simmons, 25, of Marksville, possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

»William J. Tanner, 37, Evergreen, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons.

»Richard Tassin Jr., 37, no address given, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, theft of goods.

»Thomas Taures, 28, of Marksville, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.