On November 6, 2024, at approximately 9:58 PM, the Howell County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with the South-Central Drug Task Force to apprehend two individuals involved in the trafficking of illegal narcotics.
K-9 Deputy Robert Malone, accompanied by his Belgian Malinois, Spice, played a crucial role in the arrest of Jody Lee Cates, aged 42, and Kristy Naomi Jeuel Norton, aged 40, both residents of West Plains, Missouri.
This operation marked K-9 Spice’s first illegal narcotics seizure, following the dog’s recent graduation from Basic Handlers School just weeks prior. Spice successfully detected 13 ounces of methamphetamine, 250 fentanyl capsules, 6.1 grams of suspected raw fentanyl, along with various other items associated with drug use.
Both Jody Lee Cates and Kristy Norton, are both facing Drug Trafficking charges as well as Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges.
