MONET operation leads to arrest of two Bishop men

To:       All Media Partners

From:  Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer

Date:   March 20, 2014

RE:      MONET operation leads to the arrest of two Bishop Men

The Mono County Narcotics Enforcement Team (MONET), with the assistance of the Mono County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the Mono County District Attorney’s Office, concluded a narcotics investigation near Lower Rock Creek Road.

On the evening of Monday, March 17, 2014, at approximately 4:00 pm, MONET agents, along with the Mono County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, were following a lead regarding a methamphetamine distributor in Mono and Inyo counties. With information of a pending narcotics sale, MONET agents met with David Hale and Timothy Brooks at the parking area of the Paradise Lodge trailhead near Lower Rock Creek Road. Mr. Hale and Mr. Brooks were detained on scene.

After several alerts inside the vehicle by narcotics detection K-9, Tara, indicating the presence of narcotics, a physical search of the vehicle discovered and recovered an ounce of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe hidden in a wash mitten used in car detailing. Mr. Hale and Mr. Brooks were placed under arrest and transported to the Mono County Jail in Bridgeport without incident.

David Hale, age 30, of Bishop, was arrested for transportation of a controlled substance; transportation of a controlled substance for sale; possession of a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for sale; possession of controlled substance paraphernalia; and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Timothy Brooks, age 22, of Bishop, was arrested for transportation of a controlled substance; transportation of a controlled substance for sale; possession of a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for sale; and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Both Mr. Hale and Mr. Brooks are currently in custody with charges pending with the Mono County District Attorney’s Office.