Two Arrested in Federal Drug Bust by Westside Narcotics Task Force

On Monday, April 1st, the Austin County Regional Special Response Team (SRT) conducted a successful operation resulting in the arrest of two individuals on federal arrest warrants. The arrests came as a culmination of an ongoing narcotics investigation led by the Westside Narcotics Task Force.

The Task Force had been diligently probing into the activities of the suspects, Kathleen Brown (25) and Hunter Dernehl (25), who were allegedly involved in trafficking methamphetamine in Austin County and its surrounding areas. Acting on the warrants, the SRT members apprehended Brown and Dernehl without incident in Hempstead, Texas.

Both defendants face federal charges for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. The operation also led to the seizure of methamphetamine and multiple firearms, including a semi-automatic shotgun, which was reported as stolen.

On April 2, 2024, Brown and Dernehl were transported to the United States Federal Courthouse for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. They were subsequently released to the US Marshals Office for further processing.

The Westside Narcotics Task Force, which encompasses investigators from various law enforcement agencies including the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville PD, Sealy PD, Hempstead PD, Waller County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, and DEA, played a pivotal role in the operation. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas also contributed to the investigation.