Kelcey Ford

Sedona AZ (March 6, 2014) – On March 3, 2014, at about 7:15 in the morning, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputies stopped a white Chevy Silverado truck for equipment violations on Arizona Interstate 40 eastbound. When the YCSO deputy approached the passenger side of the truck, he could smell the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Johnathon Ford, 26, and the passenger, Kelcey Ford, 29, were both from Oklahoma although each could not answer basic questions regarding their travel plans without contradiction.

Although the deputy had legal cause to search for the source of the marijuana odor in the vehicle, he also received permission from Johnathon Ford to examine the vehicle. Inside the glove box, the deputy found a digital scale covered with marijuana residue. 

Johnathon Ford

While checking the Chevy exterior, the K9 deputy noticed the spare tire had fresh fingerprints on a portion of the tire in an area otherwise covered with road grime. Further inspection of the spare tire revealed seven packages of marijuana hidden inside weighing nearly 9 pounds.

Both men were arrested and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Possession and Transportation of Marijuana for Sale. They remain in-custody, each on a $50,000 bond.

On March 4, 2014, at approximately 10:00 in the morning, a YCSO K9 deputy stopped a 2013 Chevy Impala eastbound on AZ I-40 for speeding and lane drifting. The driver was Tifani Burns, 31, and her passenger, Randolph Jackson, 51, both also from Oklahoma. Burns provided her Oklahoma driver’s license and Jackson gave the deputy a rental agreement for the vehicle. The pair indicated they were travelling from Las Vegas back to Oklahoma.

Randolph Jackson

Within moments of the traffic stop, YCSO dispatchers advised the deputy that the Chevy had been reported stolen from a town in Oklahoma. Jackson and Burns were immediately detained. During a search of the stolen vehicle, deputies found a receipt indicating the pair had actually been in California, contradicting prior statements.

While the investigation was ongoing, Jackson became belligerent and tried to escape. He was restrained and during a follow-up search of Jackson, deputies found two half pound packages of heroin, a package in each shoe. Jackson refused to discuss any connection with the heroin.

Jackson was arrested for Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Possession of a Narcotic Drug for Sale, Transportation of a Narcotic Drug for Sale, and Attempted Escape from custody which is a felony.

Tifani Burns

Jackson remains in-custody on a $50,000 bond.

Burns was arrested for Transportation of a Narcotic Drug for Sale and False Reporting to Law Enforcement. She remains in-custody on a $20,000 bond.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website.

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