TRI-COUNTY — A traffic stop on Highway 92E led to the arrest of the vehicle’s three occupants.

According to Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell, Detective Sgt. Tim Baker and K-9 Deputy Kirk Mays and K-9 Blitz pulled over a green Chevrolet Cavalier during routine patrol just before 9 p.m. Saturday.

When Mays and Baker approached the Cavalier, Harrell said the three inside “appeared extremely nervous.”

“When asked by K-9 Deputy Mays if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, the driver became suspiciously nervous,” Harrell said.

Mays then conducted a search of the vehicle with Blitz, who Harrell said alerted to the passenger side of the Chevrolet.

Mays asked the driver, 45-year-old Kathy Price, of the Hanging Rock community of Williamsburg, to perform field sobriety tests — which Harrell said she failed.

According to Harrell, Price admitted that she had taken both hydrocodone and Percocet, and was arrested for DUI.

Baker checked the first passenger, Lester Watson, 36, also of the Hanging Rock community. Harrell said “a bag of pills” was discovered in Watson’s pocket.

The second passenger, 49-year-old Ronnie Croley, of Williamsburg, was found to have three pills concealed in a wrapper, according to Harrell.

Once all three suspects were taken from the vehicle, Mays and Blitz checked the car again.

Blitz hit on the passenger side again. Harrell said Baker discovered a quarter-pound of marijuana, and Watson claimed it as his.

Watson faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and a bench warrant.

Croley faces second-degree possession of a controlled substance.

All three suspects were jailed at the Whitley County Detention Center.

“Thanks to the keen nose of K-9 Blitz, the stop netted a total of 15 hydrocodone pills with a street value of $150, four Percocet pills with a street value of $48 and (a quarter-pound) of marijuana with a street value of $500,” Harrell said.

Mays and Baker were assisted at the scene by deputies Joe Prewitt, Ken Shepherd and Shawn Jackson.



Ind. man arrested on I-75 for car stolen in Ga.

A car reported stolen in Georgia was recovered in Whitley County Saturday morning.

Todd Bryson, 37, of Indianapolis, Ind., was pulled over near mile marker 8 of north I-75 by Whitley Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Harrell and Lt. Millard Root.

Bryson was allegedly driving a red 2001 Ford Escape which was stolen Friday.

Sheriff Colan Harrell said Bryson faces charges of theft of a motor vehicle. He was jailed in the Whitley County Detention Center. Harrell said Bryson awaits extradition to Georgia for the theft.

As of press time, Bryson remained at the WCDC facing charges of receiving stolen property under $10,000. He was under a $7,500 cash bond.

Cody Harrell and Root were assisted by Williamsburg Police Officer Jim Pool and Detective Bobby Freeman.



Two jailed in Laurel County for manufacturing meth

Two Londoners were arrested just after midnight Sunday after the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office received information about the possibility they were making methamphetamine.

Clayton R. Morgan, 44, and Brenda M. Morgan, 53, both now face charges of their first offense of manufacturing methamphetamine and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense.

Sheriff John Root said Detective Jason Back and deputies Brett Reeves and Shawn Boroviak investigated the complaint on Old Whitley Road.

There, Root said they discovered the remains of a one-step meth lab inside the home.

Back, Reeves and Boroviak also found components used in the manufacture of meth as well as a white, powdery substance which tested positive for drugs.

Both suspects were jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

Deputy James Sizemore, along with Detectives Brad Mitchell and Billy Madden, dismantled the meth lab and components.



Two arrested after being found passed out in car

Two Annville residents discovered passed out in a vehicle on McWhorter Victory Road ended up in the Laurel County Correctional Center Sunday.

Dwight Riley, 56, and his passenger, Lillia D. Vaughn, 54, were found in the middle of the road in a Toyota Corolla by Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Hoskins, according to Sheriff John Root.

Root said Riley, the driver, was behind the wheel, his foot on the brake and the car in gear.

An investigation determined Riley was under the influence, and he now faces charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, driving on a DUI-suspended license, second offense, possession of an open container in a vehicle, and no seat belt.

Vaughn was charges with alcohol intoxication in a public place.



Residential video catches thief

Video footage led to the arrest of a Barbourville man for theft, according to Knox County Sheriff John Pickard.

He said on Sunday, Deputy Roy Gambrel responded to the report of a theft on KY 3440.

Pickard said several items from the front and back of the victim’s home were taken and the suspect was videoed on security cameras. 

The suspect was identified by the victims as Edward King, and they advised Gambrel of a possible location for the suspect. 

Gambrel was proceeding to that location when he spotted the suspect on KY 3440 and made a traffic stop.

Pickard said while speaking to King, Gambrel could see the stolen items still in the suspects car.

When asked about the items, Pickard said King admitted to stealing them.

King faces charges of theft by unlawful taking under $500, as well as two outstanding bench warrants.

He was jailed in the Knox County Detention Center.



One of two suspects in stabbing sought

Knox County Sheriff John Pickard said on Saturday, Deputy Adam Townsley was dispatched to Elam Branch Road to respond to the report of a male juvenile being stabbed.

Townsley found the victim, who said that two white males pulled up beside him in a red vehicle, armed with knives.

The two males reportedly began swinging at him as he was walking down the road, Pickard said. The juvenile victim said he fought the subjects off and suffered very minor injuries.

Townsley has identified one of the perpetrators and an arrest is pending.

Anyone with any information about this incident and the identity of the second suspect is encouraged to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Townsley.