9 arrested in 2-county drug bust

Law enforcement officials made nine arrests last Wednesday on drug charges.

The Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group (WING), along with the Kimball County Sheriff’s Office, Kimball Police Department, Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol, made the arrests in Kimball and Cheyenne counties. Five of the nine arrests were of Kimball residents.

Two Kimball residents were arrested on methamphetamine charges. Steve Warner, 51, was arrested on four counts of distributing methamphetamines within 1,000 feet of a school zone, while Rusty Warren, 34, was arrested and charged with two counts of distribution of methamphetamines.

Three Kimball residents were arrested on marijuana charges. Shawn Morrison, 23, Daryl Burt, 55, and Charles Smith, 45, were each arrested and charged with one count of distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a park.

Four Sidney residents were also arrested in the two-county bust. Justin Grimm, 21, was arrested and charged with two counts of distribution of marijuana. Leif Schleiker, 28, was arrested and charged with distribution of marijuana, and Gary Vanatter Jr., 26, was arrested and charged with distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a playground. Julian Salinas, 21, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamines.

WING began operations in 1989 and has made more then 7,000 arrests since that time. It covers 11 panhandle counties (Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux), and receives significant funding through federal grants administered by the Nebraska Crime Commission. WING also receives significant funding through the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). WING receives funding on a year-to-year basis, requiring annual grant applications and reporting.