HIGHFILL (KFSM) -- Police found a Highfill couple with guns, drugs and a moonshine still during a probationer compliance check on Friday (Jan. 5).
“A lot of people call it white lightning, we call it a trip to the county jail. So it`s not necessarily something in this case that was distributed to the community, I believe this was for personal use,” said Highfill Police Chief Blake Webb.
Jason Neal Vanhook, 41, and his wife, Kim Ann Vanhook, 43, were arrested on multiple felony charges of illegal drug and weapons possession.
Kim Vanhook, an active probationer, also faces several misdemeanor drug possession charges, while her husband faces an additional felony charge of possessing an illicit still.
Highfill police were assisting Arkansas Community Corrections when officers discovered a still, seven firearms, methamphetamine and marijuana at the Vanhook's home on Arkansas 264, Webb said.
Jason Vanhook told police he uses the still "for moonshine," adding that he "didn't know that was illegal," according to a probable cause affidavit.
“They are small and unprofessional in nature, it`s not like a brewing company setup or something like that. These are parts and barrels and buckets and things that someone has watched a youtube video and put together,” Webb said.
“You`re allowed to produce your own beer, your allowed to produce your own wine and in theory you are allowed to produce your own moonshine, you just have to do it the proper way. There is licensing, there is taxation...things like that, that have to come into play."
Jason Vanhook is free on a $10,000 bond. Kimberly Vanhook was being held Monday (Jan. 8) at the Benton County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
