Court dates set for Kansas residents arrested in Blackwell

NEWKIRK — Court dates are set for two Wichita, Kansas residents charged with felonies after a stolen trailer from Sedgwick County was discovered in the parking lot of the Blackwell Walmart.

Devon Thulani Dillard, 18, is free on $10,000 bond and set for an initial appearance on Aug. 7 on charges of knowingly receiving stolen property, transporting stolen property into the state and conspiracy.

Justin Robert Brown, 41, is free on $20,000 bond and is facing charges of violation of Oklahoma Statute via computer, conspiracy and child neglect.

Blackwell police report in the affidavit that a resident of Bel Aire, Kansas contacted police and reported that his stolen trailer was listed for sale on Facebook Market Place.

Officer Justin Caffey reports he reviewed the post and discovered the post was made by Brown and that the trailer was for sale in Blackwell.

Caffey reports that he and Lt. John Mitchell logged into a law enforcement Facebook profile and started a conversation with Brown during which Brown reportedly agreed to bring the trailer to Walmart.

District Attorney Task Force investigator Mike Garcia and Dept. of Agriculture Ryan Hensley were notified.

Investigators agreed to meet someone with the trailer at Walmart at 4:30 p.m. A Ford pickup pulling the trailer arrived. Officials report that Dillard and three juveniles were in the truck. All were detained and Dillard later arrested.

Dillard was questioned by police and reportedly stated that he knew the trailer was stolen and that he knew about more stolen trailers.

He reportedly told Hensley that Brown drives around looking for trailers, take pictures of them and then try to sell them. Brown said if he got a buyer, he would then steal the trailer and take it to the buyer.

Brown reportedly arrived at the police station and was interviewed. He reportedly stated he was starting a trailer business and had recently been arrested in Kansas in reference to a stolen trailer on his property.