A routine traffic stop for an equipment violation on a Toyota Tundra led to a significant drug bust in Danville on Sunday, April 21st.

Around 11pm, Danville Police identified the driver as 48-year-old Chris Steward and the passenger as 23-year-old Kierran Lyttle. Suspicion of narcotics in the vehicle prompted a search, during which Lyttle attempted to escape on foot but was subdued with a taser.

The search revealed a stash of suspected heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, along with over $9,000 in cash hidden in a magnetic box under the vehicle.

Steward resisted arrest, becoming combative and attempting to assault the officers. Both individuals were taken into custody, with Steward facing multiple charges including trafficking cocaine and heroin, and Lyttle charged with possession and fleeing police.

A routine welfare check led to drug charges last week.

On Friday, April 19th, at 3 pm, Casey County Deputy Tyler Luttrell, Sheriff Chad Weddle, and Special Deputy Robin Lynn arrived at a residence in the Bethelridge community to check on Tommy Elliot. They were greeted by Nathan G. Morgan, who allowed them to enter.

Inside, Sheriff Weddle explained they were following up on calls of possible drug activity and gained permission to search the home. Officers discovered a credit card with a white crystal-like substance and other drug paraphernalia in Nathan's room. Upon questioning, Nathan admitted to potential methamphetamine use. He was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

45-year-old Nathan Morgan was lodged in the Casey County Jail.

A late-night call Friday led Casey County Deputy Tyler Luttrell to an unusual discovery at a residence on Caney Fork Road. At 11 pm, a report of a man sitting in a truck prompted Deputy Luttrell to investigate. The man, identified as Kevin L. Davis, 32, from Lagrange, appeared disoriented and under the influence of drugs.

Dispatch confirmed that Davis had an active warrant from Jefferson County. A search revealed a small baggie of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in his pocket. Davis admitted to using meth earlier in the day and exhibited signs of intoxication.

Consequently, Davis was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of methamphetamine (third or greater offense) and public intoxication related to a controlled substance. He was taken to the Casey County Jail.

A welfare check by the Casey County Sheriff's Office quickly escalated into a drug bust on Friday afternoon.

Deputies were seeking Timothy Pittman on an active EPO violation warrant at Ronnie G. Godbey's residence in Yosemite. Despite initial reluctance to open the door, Ronnie allowed the deputies inside, where they encountered Timothy and discovered various drug paraphernalia throughout the house.

Ronnie initially claimed ignorance about the items, but after a call to his daughter contradicted his alibi, he confessed that the substances and paraphernalia were his.

The deputies' search uncovered multiple pipes with residue, straws, and baggies with substances resembling methamphetamine.

Ronnie Godbey was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of methamphetamine (third or greater offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Casey County Jail.

On April 21, 2024 at approximately 4:12 P.M. EST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 55 in Taylor County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Allen Glen Yates, age 60 of Columbia, was traveling north on KY 55 in a 2002 Ford F-150.  Mr. Yates crossed the centerline of the roadway and entered into the southbound lane of KY 55, colliding in a head-on manner with a 2021 Nissan Rogue traveling south on KY 55.   The Nissan Rogue was operated by Tracy York-Murrell, age 39 of Columbia.

Ms. York-Murrell was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Taylor County Coroner.  A passenger in Ms. York-Murrell’s vehicle, Cameron Murrell, age 33 of Columbia, was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of severe but non-life-threatening injuries.  Mr. Yates was also transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  A passenger in Mr. Yates’ vehicle, Karen Bishop, age 67 of Columbia, was transported to the University of Louisville for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Campbellsville Police Department, Campbellsville Fire Department, Taylor County Fire and EMS, Taylor County Rescue, Taylor County Coroner’s Office, and Kentucky State Highway Department.  The collision remains under investigation by Senior Trooper Brandon Roark.

A Somerset man is facing charges of Arson.

Pulaski County Sheriff's deputies arrested 21-year-old D’Marion M. Splunge on Wednesday, following a report of an intentionally set fire at a residence on KY 1247.

Deputy Joey Johnson, responding to the scene around 3:30 pm, was informed by local police that Splunge, a resident but not the owner of the home, had been identified as the suspect.

Despite no one being home at the time of the fire, multiple fire agencies responded to control and extinguish the blaze.

Splunge now faces serious charges including Arson 2nd Degree and seven counts of Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, reflecting the potential risk to first responders and the community.

The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort among the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Somerset Police & Fire Departments, Parkers Mill Fire Department, and Somerset-Pulaski County EMS.

Splunge has been lodged in the Pulaski County Jail, with the on-going investigation led by Deputy Johnson.

Pulaski County Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in Nancy, which led to the arrest of two men on drug charges. On the evening of April 3rd, Deputy Tyler Pearson was dispatched to a property on Lakeview Drive after reports of unauthorized individuals on the premises.

Upon arrival, he encountered two men attempting to leave the scene in a white truck. During the interaction, one of the men, identified as 69-year-old Darwyn Roberts of Somerset, claimed he was retrieving his belongings from the property. However, the situation escalated when Deputy Pearson noticed Roberts drop a clear plastic jar containing a substance resembling methamphetamine.

Further investigation revealed additional drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, including a glass pipe and digital scales. Roberts was arrested and charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication.

The second man, 45-year-old Eric Lawhorn of Nancy, initially denied carrying any illegal items. Nonetheless, a consensual search led to the discovery of a substance believed to be methamphetamine in Lawhorn's wallet. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
 

Both men were lodged in the Pulaski County Jail.

In the quiet hours of the early morning, a Bronston trailer park became the focal point of a Pulaski County Sheriff's Office operation. Deputies Tyler Pearson and Noah Wesley, acting on credible information about drug trafficking activities, secured and executed a search warrant at a residence on Old Waitsboro Rd.

The search, conducted at approximately 2:30 am on April 13th, yielded a clear plastic bag containing a substance resembling methamphetamine, weighing in at over two grams. The discovery of handguns, glass pipes, and digital scales in the residence further corroborated the suspicion of narcotics trafficking.

The occupant, 56-year-old William Lewis, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of first-degree trafficking of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Following the arrest, Lewis was taken to the Pulaski County Jail.

This successful operation underscores the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to combat the scourge of drugs in the community and highlights the importance of vigilance and community cooperation.

The Casey County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Casey County Jail, has successfully disrupted a drug smuggling operation aimed at introducing narcotics into the jail facility. The investigation, which unfolded on March 31st, centered around an inmate, Jonathan Cundiff, and an outside accomplice, Samantha Osborn.

Sheriff Chad Weddle uncovered a series of text messages and chirps that revealed a calculated plan by Cundiff to have Osborn deliver a dip can filled with methamphetamine. The instructions were explicit, detailing the timing, vehicle, and precise location for the can to be placed inside the vehicle.
Further inquiries led Sheriff Weddle to another inmate, referred to as C.C., who corroborated the scheme, stating that Osborn, also known as "Bo Bo," was to place the meth-laden dip can inside a deputy jailer's car. Despite confronting Cundiff about the allegations, he denied any knowledge of the case.

The evidence gathered led to charges against Cundiff for promoting contraband in the first degree.
A Deputy Jailer was also recently arrested for bringing contraband into the facility. 25-year-old Jerred Oney was arrested on Monday. He remains lodged in the Casey Co. Jail.

Kentucky is gearing up for its primary election on **May 21st**, and the registration deadline is fast approaching. If you haven't registered yet, be sure to do so by **Monday, April 22nd** to participate in the primary election.

Jeff Henderson has more...

A Deputy Jailer is now a resident after he allegedly smuggled contraband into the facility.

A joint investigation by the Casey County Sheriff's Office and the Casey County Jail was conducted Monday. Sheriff Chad Weddle interrogated Deputy Jailer Jerred Oney, who admitted to bringing a dip can into the jail.

The investigation confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in that dip can, leading to several inmates consuming the drug. As a result, Jerred Oney, 25, from Kings Mountain, KY, faces charges of first-degree promoting contraband and second-degree official misconduct. He has been booked into the Casey County Jail.

The Casey County Fiscal Court met in regular session Monday.
Casey County Judge Executive Randy Dial commented on the meeting...

The Casey County Board of Education met in regular session Monday.
Superintendent, Barry Lee...

A new Court Clerk is now on duty in Pulaski County.
Jeff Henderson reports from Somerset...

In a coordinated effort, the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office and Harrodsburg Police Department successfully conducted a drug investigation resulting in a significant arrest. On April 10th, 2024, a traffic stop on Hubble Road led to the discovery of approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine, a large sum of cash, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

The passenger, Shannon Penman, was found to have an active arrest warrant and was taken into custody. A subsequent search revealed a small baggie of suspected fentanyl on Penman's person. Penman, from Lancaster, KY, now faces multiple charges including trafficking and possession of controlled substances, as well as promoting contraband.

The Boyle County Sheriff’s Office praised the collaborative efforts with the Harrodsburg Police Department, highlighting the importance of partnership in tackling drug-related crimes.
 

In the early hours of Thursday, Danville Police responded to a disturbance at a residence on Ridgeway Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 45-year-old female victim with scratches and a small puncture wound on her hand. The investigation revealed that the victim had intervened in a verbal dispute between the suspect, 66-year-old George Young, and her mother.

Young's aggression escalated as he struck and threw the victim to the ground. Desperate to defend herself, the victim grabbed a piece of door trim with protruding nails. Young wrested the wood from her, inflicting minor injuries to her head and hand.

Alerted that Young had fled the scene, officers tracked him down on Hill N Dale Drive. Despite initial resistance, Young was apprehended without further incident. He now faces charges of **Assault in the Second Degree** and **fleeing/evading police**.

He is lodged in the Boyle County Jail.
 

On April 8, 2024, Angela H. Thomas, age 45, found herself at the center of a police investigation in Liberty, KY. Officer Cody Roy and Deputy Jake Atwood responded to a collision at A&D vape shop, where they encountered Thomas. Initially, it seemed like a routine accident scene, but Deputy Atwood's keen eye noticed something amiss.

As Officer Roy engaged Thomas in conversation about the collision, Deputy Atwood observed her spit gathering in the corner of her mouth. Concerned, he asked if she had taken anything. Thomas attributed it to tooth glue, but Atwood remained vigilant. His suspicions grew when he noticed a lump in the coin pocket of her pants.

Seeking consent, Officer Roy requested to search Thomas's vehicle. She agreed, and Atwood inquired about the pocket contents. Thomas hesitated, claiming it was just quarters. But when she emptied her pocket onto the hood of her car, Atwood noticed her thumb still inside the coin pocket, guarding something. He insisted she reveal the hidden item.

Thomas's excuses shifted. First, it was a lint ball. Then, she claimed it belonged to her husband. But when Atwood retrieved the folded yellow post-it note, it revealed a plastic baggie containing a crystal-like substance—methamphetamine. Thomas's protestations crumbled; she admitted the substance was indeed methamphetamine.

Angela H. Thomas now faces charges of Possession of Controlled Substance-1st Degree.

Liberty City Council met in regular session Monday.

Mayor, Dr. Sam Haddad...

There was also a discussion about adding a traffic light, or caution light at the intersection of Hwy 127 & Ky 70. The Council said the issue is already under consideration and would need to be studied further.

An Adair County man was arrested during a routine traffic stop in Casey County over the weekend.

Saturday evening, Casey County Deputies Tyler Luttrell and Jake Atwood pulled over an '82 Honda motorcycle on North 127 due to the absence of a rearview mirror and expired registration tags.

The driver, identified as 39-year-old James A. Flores, of Columbia,  admitted to operating the bike without insurance and with tags that had been expired for three years. Flores, who is currently on probation for prior drug-related offenses, aroused suspicion when Deputy Atwood observed signs of impairment.

Despite initially denying any substance use that day, Flores hesitated when questioned about the presence of illegal items on his person or the motorcycle. Subsequent field sobriety tests confirmed the deputies' suspicions, leading to Flores's admission of possessing a methamphetamine pipe and recent drug use.

Flores was arrested on several charges, including the absence of a rearview mirror, illegible license plate, lack of registration plates, no insurance, DUI-controlled substance, possession of Methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Flores was taken to Casey County Hospital for a blood test before being booked into Casey County Jail.

*** UPDATE:  JACKSON OVERSTREET HAS BEEN LOCATED - SAFE ***

The Casey County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a missing juvenile.