CORBIN — Times-Tribune / Staff Report

Barbourville Police arrest two on drug trafficking charges

Two Knox County residents were arrested Thursday after Barbourville Police executed a search warrant at a drug house in Artemus.

According to Barbourville Police, the arrests came from an undercover investigation from their department and Kentucky State Police. Jack Davis, 54, and Michelle Stapleton, 45, both of Artemus, were arrested. Both were charged with first-degree drug trafficking. Both were incarcerated in the Knox County Jail.

Numerous complaints about Davis and the amount of drugs he had been selling had been received by several police agencies. Investigations indicated Davis was a large supplier of illegal drugs in the Knox County area.

Along with the arrests, officers seized a large quantity of Oxycodone, marijuana, Xanax, an undisclosed amount of cash, drug paraphernalia and a Ford truck.

While officers were headed to the house to execute the search warrant, they located Davis driving in his truck on KY 225. He was arrested after a traffic stop started by backup units. Officers then located Stapleton at the house, where she was arrested.

The investigation is continuing and is likely to result in further charges.

Londoner charged with child abandonment

A  London woman was arrested Wednesday after she left her children at home alone for several hours, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

When deputies searched for her, the mother, Joyce A. Blanton, 35, was found at a nearby residence under the influence, Root said. When questioned about her children, she gave conflicting stories of where she had been.

Deputy Greg Turner, Senior Sgt. Greg Poynter and Deputy Robbie Grimes responded about 9 p.m. to the complaint that two children had been left unattended by a parent or guardian at a home located five miles south of London. After checking the home and talking to neighbors, deputies were told the children had been left alone since 3:45 p.m.

The children’s grandmother was contacted and the children were released to her and social services was called.

Blanton was charged with abandonment of a minor and public intoxication-controlled substances. She was jailed in the Laurel County Corrections Center.

Woodbine man arrested for shoplifting

A Woodbine man was arrested Wednesday after he reportedly shoplifted from a store in southern Laurel County, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Johnny L. Sandridge, 20, was carrying Xanax pills and told deputies he had taken several before he tried to shoplift, Root said.

Senior Sgt. Greg Poynter investigated the complaint, which was made after 8 p.m.

Sandridge was charged with shoplifting, public intoxication-controlled substances and prescription controlled substances not in proper container. He was jailed in the Laurel County Corrections Center.

Man arrested for outstanding warrant

A 33-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on a Laurel County bench warrant for second-degree burglary, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Christopher Simpson, whose address is not known, was arrested about 2 p.m. by Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective/U.S. Marshal Warrant Task Force Officer Jason Back.

He was jailed in the Laurel County Corrections Center.

Lily man arrested for parole violation

A Lily man was arrested Wednesday on a parole violation warrant in connection with his conviction in Whitley Circuit Court for first-degree possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of meth precursor, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Charles Gilbert, 30, was arrested about 2 p.m. by Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective/U.S. Marshal Warrant Task Force Officer Jason Back.

He was jailed in the Laurel County Corrections Center.

Suspects sought in theft from outbuilding

Suspects are being sought in connection with the theft of power tools from an outbuilding along Lon Chadwell Road, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

The investigation by Deputy Robbie Grimes began about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The theft had occurred earlier in the day after the thieves broke a lock to the building. Items stolen included a Castman Chainsaw, Poulan Chain Saw and a Weedeater trimmer. On Thursday, the Poulan Chain Saw was found at a local pawn shop.

The police investigation continues.

London man charged with public intoxication

A London man was arrested Wednesday after a deputy saw him fall into a ditch while walking along the road, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Roger Hensley, 52, was seen about 5:30 p.m. along Keavy Road. Deputy Robbie Grimes determined Hensley was very intoxicated and posed a danger to himself.

Hensley was charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place. He was also charged on a Laurel County Bench warrant with failure to appear in court.

He was jailed in the Laurel County Corrections Center.