Video: Home Invasion Turns Into Meth Bust Investigation, Robbery

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ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – “What it is, is just drug dealers absolutely and drug users robbing each other.”

That is how Monroe County Sheriff Cecil Cantrell describes a recent home invasion and meth bust.

“These people actually came in, in the night with a hatchet and got the money. They tore the door down,” explained Cantrell.

Cantrell says Laura McDaniel, 37, of Smithville reported the home invasion August 21st.

She and BJ Harmon, 24, of Nettleton were arrested that night when deputies found meth precursors. Cantrell says McDaniel also led investigators to a working meth lab on another property she owns.

Then deputies turned their attention to the people accused of breaking into McDaniel’s house and reportedly taking over $200,000.

Now, Michael Brandon Patterson, 29, of Hickory Flat, Candace Blanchard, 36, of Mantachie, and BJ Williams, 27, are charged with breaking and entering an occupied dwelling.

Stephanie Nicole Herring, 24, of Amory is charged with conspiracy to commit a crime.

Investigators have recovered more than $48,000 but not before the accused went on a spending spree.

“We’ve got four vehicles, we’ve got riding mowers, we’ve got trailers, we’ve got all kinds of equipment that we’ve recovered,” said Cantrell.

Cantrell says Williams ran into other troubles when his wallet was full of money and he was looking for a night out with a woman.

“(Williams) Went to Pontotoc, called an escort service on Thursday. Called the escort service back on Friday and while he was in there with his female companion, over in another county, her pimp came in and robbed him of $100,000.”

This investigation took many twists and turns but Cantrell says the message remains the same to accused crooks.

“If you come in somebody’s house, even though you’re a drug dealer and a drug user, and you steal, we’re gonna get you. We’re not gonna have this. We’re not gonna have home invasions.”

Cantrell says all of the people arrested know each other.

More charges are expected against Patterson, Blanchard, and Williams in the investigation.