Wanted Individual Apprehended After Drone-Assisted Search in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones reports that Deputies apprehended James Meece on September 23, 2026, after receiving information that he was at a residence on Sulphur Springs Road. Meece had been wanted on a state parole board violation since June 2025. At approximately 9:43 p.m., Deputy Noah Dishman received the information, which also raised concern that the residence may have been prepared for a barricade situation.

Deputy Dishman notified supervisors and coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service. After a search warrant was obtained for the property, Deputies arrived at the residence. Meece fled into a wooded area, and Deputies pursued him but lost sight of him.
Following the initial search, the Pulaski County Special Response Team deployed a drone, which detected a heat signature and helped Deputies locate Meece. Lieutenant Richard Smith coordinated radio communications while Deputies tracked Meece’s movements. Sergeant Marcus Harrison and Deputies Zach Huff and Grant Bryant took Meece into custody without further incident.
Deputies subsequently executed the search warrant at the residence and seized a small amount of suspected methamphetamine.
The U.S. Marshals Service and Pulaski County EMS assisted the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office during the response. Sheriff’s Office personnel included Lieutenant Richard Smith; Sergeants Dylan West and Marcus Harrison; and Deputies Grant Bryant, Zach Huff, Ethan Hargis, Brandon Parks, Matthew Walker, and Daniel Drury. The Pulaski County Special Response Team also participated in the search.
Sheriff Bobby Jones asks anyone with information about this crime, any other crime, or suspected drug activity to contact the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at 606-678-5145 or the tip line at 606-679-8477. You may remain anonymous.