WCSD Press Release | Apr 26, 2018 - The Whitley County Sheriff's Dept..is reporting that at around midnight April 26, 2018, Deputy Brian Hensley and Lieutenant Dennis Foley went to a Taylor Circle residence just outside Williamsburg in an attempt to locate 34-year-old Ashley Lay.
She had one warrant issued in Laurel County and three warrants issued in Whitley County. One of the Whitley Co. warrants was for failure to appear for a jury trial, which made her a fugitive.
Upon arriving at the residence, Dep. Hensley observed Lay through a window.
Upon announcing the presence of the sheriff's department, Lay ran. Dep. Hensley forced entry. A man and a female were located in the kitchen. Lt. Foley forced entry through a second door and located 34-year-old Thomas Schenck in a bathroom. Dep. Hensley located Lay in a bedroom closet.
During the search of the residence, deputies found within a bedroom a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, weighing scales, bags containing approximately four grams of what's believed to be crystal "ice" methamphetamine, needles, over 100 plastic bags consistent with drug trafficking and over $450 in cash.
The man located in the kitchen, 34-year-old Thomas J. Croley, was determined to be a fugitive wanted for arrest by Texas authorities.
The female in the kitchen was identified but had no known warrants for her arrest
Lay was arrested on four warrants. She was also charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (meth), first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth), two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.
Croley was arrested and charged with being a fugitive from another state.
Schenck was arrested and charged with second-degree fleeing or evading police and hindering apprehension.
All were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.
Dep. Jonas Saunders assisted, and Dep. Hensley is continuing the investigation.
