Four members of an eastern Lawrence family were charged Friday with kidnapping whom authorities called a "witness in an ongoing drug investigation."
Shortly after midnight Thursday, sheriff's and police officers served a search warrant at a home in the 800 block of New York Street, Sheriff Rick Trapp said Friday.
Five people were arrested, Trapp said. Four later were charged by the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.
Trapp wouldn't say whether the victim, identified as a male in court documents filed later Friday, was at the home at the time of the search.
An incident Thursday provoked the search, but Trapp refused to elaborate.
Also taking part in the investigation was the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Unit, which includes police officers from Lawrence and Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties.
The drug unit currently comes under Trapp's supervision when operating in Douglas County.
Those charged:
Lionell Sanders, 22, with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery and aggravated assault. On Friday he was in the Douglas County Jail on $150,000 bond.
Kim Sanders, 23, with aggravated kidnapping, held on $75,000 bond.
Lee Sanders Jr., 33, aggravated kidnapping, held on $75,000 bond.
Quincy Sanders, 20, aggravated kidnapping, held on $50,000 bond.
The Sanderses apparently are related, but information about their relationships wasn't available Friday. All have court appearances scheduled for Tuesday before Judge Robert Fairchild, and dates will be set for preliminary hearings.
Officers also arrested a fifth suspect, a 26-year-old Lawrence woman. She was released Friday from jail without charges filed against her.
Asked if the victim was a confidential informant, Trapp declined comment. Authorities also would not comment on any injuries suffered by the victim. Charges filed against Lionell Sanders indicated the victim was physically harmed and threatened with a knife but gave no indication of the seriousness of any injuries.
All the suspects were arrested at the New York Street residence, Trapp said.
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