HEMPSTEAD — The Austin County Regional Special Response Team (SRT) arrested two subjects on federal arrest warrants on April 1.
The operation was the result of an ongoing narcotics investigation by the Westside (HIDTA) Narcotics Task Force.
Task Force officers had been investigating the defendants for trafficking methamphetamine in Austin County, as well as in the surrounding areas.
Suspects Kathleen Brown, 25, of Bellville, and Hunter Dernehl, 25, of Hempstead, were arrested in Hempstead without incident.
Both defendants were charged federally with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Methamphetamine was seized during the operation, along with
several firearms, including a semi-auto shotgun identified as being stolen.
Both defendants were transported to the United States Federal Courthouse for the Southern District of Texas, located in Houston.
The suspects were released to the US Marshals Office for pro cessing.
The Westside Narcotics Task Force covers four counties and is comprised of investigators from the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville PD, Sealy PD, Hempstead PD, Waller County
Sheriff's Office, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Coun -
ty Sheriff's Office, and DEA.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas participated in the investigation.
