UPDATE -
CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST RASHONDA BRADFORD IN RAMADA INN CASE - "
in the wrong place at the wrong time" says Bradford
As a result of the information obtained by investigators from one of the suspects arrested in the Ramada Inn incident, charges have been dropped against Rashonda Marchelle Bradford, age 27, of 742 East Main Street. Last night, investigators also obtained other independent information that confirmed that Ms. Bradford may not have known about the drugs that were present in the room until officers executed the search warrant shortly before 11:00 AM yesterday morning. Ms. Bradford was released from the Madison County Jail and will face no charges in connection with the drug case nor is there any indication that she is a person of interest in the Crockett County homicide investigation.
The other two suspects, Bernard Santraz Cooper, age 24, of 607 Mac Hart Road in Jackson, and Tavaris Anthony Coicou, age 29, of 260 Oak Street in Jackson, remain in custody at the Madison County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell or Deliver. They will be arraigned in Jackson City Court tomorrow morning.
3 Suspects in custody on drug related charges while evidence is being sought in connection with homicide
At approximately 6:00 AM this morning, officers with the Jackson Police Department were called to assist the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department in locating a suspect wanted for a homicide in Crockett County that occurred earlier in the morning. Officers determined that the suspect had rented two rooms at the Ramada Inn on North Highland Avenue. Patrol officers secured the area and the Tactical Team, along with other members of the Special Operations Division were called to the scene to assist with the capture of the suspect and securing of evidence that may have been pertinent to the homicide investigation. Officers obtained search warrants for both of the rooms and shortly before 11:00 AM the Tact Team made entry on both rooms simultaneously. Two suspects were taken into custody in room 144 and one suspect in room 145.
The suspects in room 144 were identified as
Bernard Santraz Cooper, age 24, of 607 Mac Hart Road in Jackson, and Rashonda Marchelle Bradford, age 27, of 742 East Main Street in Jackson. Officers found evidence that the suspects had attempted to flush a large amount of marijuana in the toilet. Officers also found over $2,500 in cash. The suspect from room 145 was identified as Tavaris Anthony Coicou, age 29, of 260 Oak Street in Jackson. Officers found 3 large Ziploc bags containing marijuana, hidden in the back of the toilet. It is estimated that there was a total of between two to three pounds in the three bags. Members of the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department were on the scene to search the rooms for any evidence linked to their homicide investigation.
All three suspects were transported to the Madison County Jail and are charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell or Deliver. They are in custody pending arraignment in Jackson City Court next week.
