A Lincoln County man and two men from Louisiana were arrested inFranklin County earlier this month on drug charges, Franklin CountySheriff James Newman said Wednesday.

Newman said Dalton Lofton, 44, of 2265 West Lincoln Road inMcCall Creek, was arrested around 10 p.m. on Jan. 4, and chargedwith possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, noinsurance, and expired tag. Lofton was arrested with Jason ScottArnold, 34, and Jason Mark Meyers, 33, both of Zachary, La.

The men were arrested near the intersection of Bogue Chitto Roadand Olympia Road on the eastern edge of Franklin County.

All three men are believed to be convicted felons, Newman said,and Meyers is a former police officer who was reportedly livingwith Dalton at the time of the arrest.

“All three of them were charged with possession with intent todistribute, and they were incarcerated that night,” Newman said,adding that Lofton had been released on $50,000 bond Wednesdaywhile Arnold and Meyers are still in custody.

The current punishment for possession of a schedule II drug withintent to distribute is up to 30 years in prison with a fine from$10,000 to $2,000,000.

Newman said the men did not have a terribly large quantity ofmethamphetamine.

“It was an unlucky night for them,” Newman said.