Video: Home Invasion Burglary Case Leads to Drug Investigation

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) –What began as a home invasion call has turned into a drug investigation. Now authorities say nothing was random in this case, which has already led to several arrests and the search for multiple suspects.

It was around 5:15 Wednesday evening, when Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home invasion call at this house.

A black male was found lying in the front yard , with a single gunshot wound to his chest.

A tenant in the home claimed he shot the man, after the suspect tried to break into the residence.

However, Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says during a search of the house, deputies and narcotics officers found a felony amount of synthetic marijuana, known as “wax,” along with evidence that the drug was being distributed from the rental home.

“It was drug usage, the distribution of drugs and criminal activity related to drugs that caused this entire incident.”

Three people were arrested on felony drug charges. they are 24 year old William Cody Hallmark, 22 year old Bramlitt Tutor, and 27 year old Jared Jerden.

23 year old Delvechio Terell Morris was taken to NMMC, where he underwent surgery for a gunshot wound and is in critical condition.

Authorities say one suspect fled on foot, while a third black male left in this car, a mid 2000 model purple CTS Cadillac, with factory wheels.

Sheriff Johnson says the crime was not a random act. In fact, on the evening of September 19th, tenants at the same residence claimed three black males entered the house and robbed four people at gunpoint. Sheriff Johnson says Morris, who was shot Wednesday evening, is connected to the earlier incident, and has been charged with burglary of a dwelling and armed robbery. Now, authorities are searching for this man, 20 year old Darien Mitchell Graham, in connection with the September 19 crime.

The sheriff says the case provides a clear lesson for anyone involved in the illegal drug trade.

“If we was at show and tell, you could show the pictures of this particular crime scene and the story you would tell is, if you are going to divvy in drug activity, this could be the result of it.”

Sheriff Johnson says authorities are still searching for the get away car and a third suspect.