Agents with the Criminal Interdiction Unit out of the 30th District were conducting operations on I-55 in Dyer County (29th District) Friday (1/17/25) when they conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation.

Further investigation revealed the driver, identified as John Horace Purnell, 38, was wanted on felony warrants out of Virginia on charges of Sodomy and Failure to register as a sex offender.

Purnell was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office where he is being held pending extradition to Virginia. Purnell is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Drug Task Force Director Johnie Carter said, “Sheriff Jeff Box and the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office participates in our Drug Task Force mission and their partnership, among others, is a major part of our successes.”

The extradition is being handled by the office of District Attorney General, Danny Goodman, Jr.

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