officer Peyrene arrested on Meth charges

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MERIDIAN, Miss. A 25-year-old Moss Point police officer was arrested today on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The special agent in charge of the F-B-I in Mississippi says in a statement that Officer Wendy Mason Peyrene was on duty at the time she was taken into custody.

John G- Raucci says the arrest followed a joint investigation by the F-B-I's Safe Streets Task Force, the Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County and Moss Point police.

He say agents seized about 6 grams of methamphetamine from Peyrene, on the Moss Point force since 20-04.

She faces an initial appearance Friday before U-S- Magistrate Judge John M- Roper in Gulfport.

If convicted, Peyrene could receive a sentence of five years to 40 years in federal prison and a one (m) million dollar fine.

www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=5785423

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No bond for Moss Point officer arrested on meth possession charge

Miss. - A Moss Point police officer charged with possession of methamphetamine has been ordered held without bond pending another federal court hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Police Officer Wendy Mason Peyregne, 25, was arrested Thursday for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On Friday, U.S. Magistrate John Roper granted the government's request to keep Peyregne jailed in Harrison County pending a bond hearing set for Tuesday in federal court. The judge also appointed federal public defender Ellen Allred to represent Peyregne.

At the time of her arrest, authorities said Peyregne was on duty, in uniform and in possession of an estimated six grams of methamphetamine.

Police Chief Demetrius Drakeford said Friday that Peyregne has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending a meeting with the board of aldermen tentatively set for Tuesday.

"I want the citizens to know that we do not tolerate criminal behavior in this Police Department," Drakeford said. "When we got the first complaint, we did what was necessary to get this police officer off the streets."

In a 10-page affidavit unsealed Friday, authorities said they received complaints and tips in October about Peyregne's alleged illegal drug activity. Two confidential informants worked with authorities to record undercover buys from Peyregne along with other information.

Peyregne's role was described in the documents as one who arranged, transported, received and delivered methamphetamine in South Mississippi and elsewhere, including nearby Grand Bay, Ala.

One of the informants told authorities that he'd purchased at least 20 grams from Peyregne over a three-month period, with those purchases made at the home of a major meth supplier in Grand Bay.

Another informant told authorities that her main supplier was in Mississippi and that the police officer often drove across state lines from Mississippi to Alabama to transport and deliver meth, according to the affidavit.

If convicted, Peyregne could go to jail for up to 20 years and pay fines of up to $2 million. Peyregne was being held Saturday in the Harrison County jail.

www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/16203693.htm
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