Porterville Police Department arrests man on drug, gun charges

A violent drug dealer was arrested by the Porterville Police Department Thursday afternoon.

The Porterville Police Department’s Narcotic Investigations Unit (NIU) was made aware of a felony arrest warrant issued for Neal Jackson Mccoy, 34, of Porterville. The arrest warrant charged Mccoy with numerous felony crimes, including suspicion of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting a peace officer with force or violence. NIU detectives began searching for Mccoy with the intent of serving the arrest warrant.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mccoy was spotted in a parked vehicle located in the 100 block of West School Avenue in Porterville, PPD reported. He was taken into custody without incident. The vehicle was searched and a loaded, operable firearm was located along with heroin and methamphetamine. The firearm had the serial numbers removed, PPD reported. There was evidence in the vehicle that indicated the illegal drugs were possessed with the intent to sell.

Based on the evidence located in the vehicle, a search warrant was authored to search Mccoy’s residence. The search warrant approved and, during the search, further evidence was located that indicated the drugs seized were possessed for sales.

Christina Higareda, 34, of Porterville, was contacted at the residence and also taken into custody.

As a result of the investigation, both suspects were booked into the Tulare County Jail on charges of possession of controlled substances for sales, possession of a firearm and controlled substances, possession of a firearm with the serial number removed, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the above charges, Mccoy was also charged with suspicion of being a prior convicted felon in possession of a firearm, under the influence of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm, and a felony arrest warrant.

Due to the severity of the charges listed on Mccoy’s arrest warrant and his current criminal charges, a bail enhancement was requested and authorized. Mccoy is being held in the Tulare County Jail in lieu of $870,000 bail.