Two face several charges after deputies' raid on residence

Vernon County sheriff's deputy Casey Matthews searches Heather Brown during a raid on Brown's residence at 18919 South 1200 Road just southwest of Nevada on Wednesday. Rusty Murray/Daily Mail

Two rural Nevada residents have been charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, maintaining or keeping a public nuisance, unlawful possession of a concealed firearm and endangering the welfare of a child.

Tyler Hackleman, 38, and Heather Brown, 36, were arrested Wednesday morning and booked into the Vernon County jail after county authorities armed with a "no-knock" warrant, searched their residence at 18919 South 1200 Road, southwest of Nevada.

Probable cause affidavits by Deputy Shayne Simmons allege officers found suspected illegal substances, a firearm and drug paraphernalia in a hidden compartment in a wall of the house's master bedroom. Seized evidence includes a loaded 9 mm handgun, a .22-caliber rifle, several types of ammunition and an explosive device, similar to a flash-bang grenade.

Vernon County sheriff's deputy Jacob Crahan leads Tyler Hackleman from the house at 18919 South 1200 Road southeast of Nevada.

Investigator John Randall said the military calls that type of grenade an artillery simulator. It's primarily intended to make noise, but Randall said if an individual is close enough to it when it goes off, it could cause injuries. Sheriff Jason Mosher said the explosive device would eventually lead to another charge.

Mosher said because Hackleman and Brown are convicted felons they are barred from possessing a gun or explosive device. Mosher said that even though the explosive device could get the federal authorities involved, he doubted they would over one small device.

A large number of small bags with white powdery residue were recovered from the house, along with several used syringes. Mosher said he didn't know how long for sure, but he alleged the two had been dealing drugs out of the house "for an extended period of time."

The sheriff said two small bags contained about 2.7 grams pure methamphetamine and another sandwich bag had about 1.3 ounces of meth that appeared to already have been mixed with another substance.

Several small bags of what appeared to be marijuana also were found in the house.

Mosher said security cameras were mounted on all sides of the house and a four-part screen to monitor activity was inside the house.

Mosher also said numerous all-terrain vehicles and a John Deere Gator, as well as other items on the cluttered property are suspected of being stolen. Neither Hackleman nor Brown could prove they own them. Investigators are still trying to determine ownership.

When deputies rushed the house, one young boy around age 10 was in the yard and ordered to lay down. Another boy of similar age was brought out of the house. Mosher said both boys were Brown's sons, and they were placed into the care of a family member.

Brown has a prior felony conviction and Hackleman has numerous prior felony convictions and is on probation for felony possession. Both of them remained in the Vernon County Jail Friday in lieu of $100,000 bond.