Three people arrested in two separate drug cases

Two arrested after fleeing traffic stop, leading to $180K in drugs seized; search warrant in other case results in one arrest and seizure of $45K of drugs at North Douglas home

The Juneau Police Department's substation downtown on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Two cases involving three arrests and the seizure of about $225,000 in illegal drugs were reported Thursday by the Juneau Police Department.

One of the cases involved a vehicle with two occupants — Jeremiah L. Pond, 50, and Whitney Gannon, 40, both of Juneau — fleeing a traffic stop in the Mendenhall Valley on March 27, according to a JPD press release.

"Investigators observed Pond operating a vehicle in a dangerous manner in the Mendenhall Valley area," the release states. "He was driving at a high rate of speed and crossing the centerline. A traffic stop was initiated, and Pond initially stopped the vehicle. Gannon was contacted in the front passenger seat."

Pond fled the scene while the officers were still conducting the stop, according to JPD.

"He continued to drive recklessly, eventually losing control and striking a guardrail before fleeing the area once again," the release states. "Pond and Gannon were later located near Statter Harbor and taken into custody."

A search of Gannon’s residence in the 11000 block of Mendenhall Loop Road resulted in the seizure of about 360 grams of fentanyl, eight grams of methamphetamine and $8,091 in cash, according to JPD. The estimated street value of the drugs is $180,000.

Both Pond and Gannon were charged with two counts of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (a Class A felony), plus two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (a Class B felony). Pond was also arrested on suspicion of failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer (a Class C felony), four counts of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (a Class C felony) and a remand for probation.

A second investigation resulting in an arrest occurred March 26 when officers with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in the 6000 block of North Douglas Highway, according to JPD. The warrant was related to an ongoing drug investigation that began in February 2026.

Karenza L. Bott, 51, of Juneau, was contacted at the home and arrested after officials seized about 347 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of fentanyl and 14 grams of cocaine, a JPD statement notes. The street value of the drugs is estimated at $45,300.

Bott was charged with three counts of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance in the second degree and two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.