Law enforcement officers from the multiple agencies in the Montgomery County area were involved in the arrest of two Independence residents following an investigation that began in October.

Sheriff Robert Dierks said Chadd Johnson and Willie Hayes, both of Independence, were arrested this week and charged with multiple drug offenses. Law enforcement officers issued search warrants on the two men on Oct. 14 following a long-term investigation that involved the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; Coffeyville, Independence and Joplin police departments; Southeast Kansas Drug Enforcement Task Force,; Jasper County (Mo.) Drug Task Force; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) .

After the arrests of Johnson and Hayes, law enforcement officers seized several dogs that were believed to be used in illegal dog fights. Both men are also being charged with cruelty to animals. Johnson and Hayes surrendered the the dogs for adoption on Nov. 12.

Dierks said that evaluations of the dogs have been completed by Game Dog Guardian, and some of the dogs are available for adoption through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and others will be transferred to licensed rescues.  Anyone interested in adopting a dog may fill out an adoption application at www.mgso.us.  If you are a licensed rescue that can take a dog into your program, contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 330-1000, or Game Dog Guardian at (785) 832-8100.