WCSD Press Release (Mar 21, 2018 ) - The Whitley County Sheriff's Department is reporting that at around 11:30 A.M. on March 19, 2018, Court Security Officer Chris Brown observed a man enter the Whitley County Judicial Center while continuing to smoke a cigarette.
CSO Russell Strunk advised Michael David Young, 34, of Corbin, that tobacco was not permitted within the building.
Young left the building, went to an area where there were shrubs, and then re-entered for his appearance in circuit court. CSO Brown and Strunk went outside to where Young had walked. Within the shrubbery was a hypodermic needle containing a clear liquid.
Circuit Court Judge Paul K. Winchester was notified of the incident, and Young was ordered to take a drug test. While in a holding cell, Young was searched. CSO Brown found on Young’s person a small flashlight. In it was a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.
Young was questioned about the needle found outside and admitted it had belonged to him. He appeared under the influence and admitted to using drugs. After Young failed to produce a urine sample, Judge Winchester sentenced him to six months of incarceration.
Young now faces new charges by the sheriff’s department: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication. CSOs also determined Young was wanted for arrest due to charges in Laurel County.
Young was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center, and the investigation is continuing.
“Court Security Officers are on the frontline of protecting and maintaining order in and around the judicial center. What they do isn’t always as ‘newsworthy’ as other sheriff’s department activities, but their work is praiseworthy. Please join me in recognizing our CSOs for their work.” -Sheriff Colan J. Harrell
Photo courtesy of the Whitley County Detention Center.
