19 arrested, 6 sought in street gang round up in Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Nineteen people were arrested and six more have warrants for their arrests after officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety served several criminal arrest warrants.

Sikeston DPS officers with the help of numerous area law enforcement agencies served several criminal arrest warrants on Thursday, February 15 following a lengthy criminal investigation.

A Scott County Grand Jury, empaneled late last year, returned indictments on 25 people for knowingly participating in criminal street gang activities.

The warrant round up on Thursday morning is called “Operation Knot My Valentine” led to the arrest of several suspected members of the “Knotboys” or “WYHA” street gang.

The investigation stemmed from the analysis of criminal incidents occurring over the past three years.

Sikeston DPS officers say the shootings or reports of shots fired were tied to Knotboys members and their activities.

Of the 25 indictments, 19 have been arrested. They are being held in jail on the Scott County indictment with $100,000 cash only bonds.

Those arrested include Joe Alexander Jr., Ja’Melvion Banks, Jaden Blackmon, Kevontae Boone, Michael Coaker Jr., Demadre Davis, Zakobian Jackson, Deonundre Johnson, Jamarius Johnson,
Decalan Little, Tyrone McClinton Jr., Latreyveon McCray, Trevion Moore, Jason Moore II, Kanye Parker, Rasheid Parker, Tayshaun Price-Lane, Paul Safford and Cordaius Webb.

Jamarius Johnson, Latreyveon McCray and another person face additional charges stemming from a fraud investigation.

Additional arrests are pending.

Personnel from the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard, New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, South Scott
County EMS, ATF, DEA and U.S. Marshals Service assisted Sikeston DPS.