County Wide Drug Roundup In Laurel County

Laurel County, KY -  Sheriff John Root ,deputies, and detectives along with the sheriff's Office K-9 teams  conducted a county wide drug roundup "Operation November to Remember" early Wednesday morning November 14, 2018  seeking 17 individuals on drug trafficking and possession charges throughout Laurel County.

4 teams of sheriff’s deputies, assisted by London City Police, and Kentucky State Police, armed with arrest warrants based on undercover investigations conducted by Laurel Sheriff’s Detective James Sizemore and Detective Bryon Lawson arrested 10 suspects charging various Illegal Drug Trafficking and Possession offenses and lodged them in the Laurel County Detention Facility. Also 2 other persons were arrested on drug charges today after a complaint received today was investigated today off Willie Green Road. In addition, 5 other wanted persons were  arrested on other outstanding charges. A total of 17 persons were arrested. These arrests were the result of a 3 month undercover investigation conducted by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.

Those suspects arrested are identified as:

1. Johnny Craig Sasser age 54 of Riverside Loop Rd., London charged on an arrest warrant based on an investigation by the Sheriff's office charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – methamphetamine. In addition, during the arrest today  and the execution of a search warrant off Riverside Loop approximately 7 miles South of London deputies located a crystal substance(meth), and 2 firearms- a shotgun and handgun both that had the serial number removed. This individual was charged with possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – methamphetamine; possession of a defaced firearm; and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

1. Lona Counts Smith age 55 of Kentucky 1223, Corbin charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Hydrocodone.
2. Nettie Coldwell age 80 of Highway 1223, Corbin charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – hydrocodone.
3. Brian S. Smith age 36 of Corbin charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.
4. Michael J. Partin age 69 of Highway 830, Corbin charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – oxycodone.
5. Rebecca E. Mullins age 25 of Woodland Court, Keavy charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.
6. Ricky L. Hubbs age 62 of Level Green Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.
7. Charlene Fox age 70 of American Greeting Card Rd., Corbin charged with three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – oxycodone.
8. James R. Woods age 55 of American Greeting Card Rd., Corbin charged with five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – methamphetamine; one count of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – methamphetamine.
9. Tina Polley age 39 of and Mullins Ave., Corbin arrested on Dow Adkins Lane 9 miles South of London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine..

Also arrested today after the Sheriff's office received a complaint today of drug activity off Willie Green Road approximately 5 miles west of London and the Sheriff's office conducted an investigation arresting three individuals two of them on drug charges and one in violation of an EPO at that location.

The three arrested there were identified as:

1. Emily Taylor age 41 of Willie Green Rd., London charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; prescription controlled substances not in proper container – first offense – a hypodermic needle in a plastic bag with a white crystal substance was found in this individual's possession.
2. Angela Marcum age 45 of Patty's Rd., Manchester charged with possession of a controlled substance – second-degree; possession of drug paraphernalia; – this subject was found with Suboxone and marijuana.
3. Timothy Taylor age 48 of Willie Green Rd., London charged with violation of a Kentucky EPO.

Also arrested and found with outstanding warrants of arrest or other arrests as law enforcement conducted their roundup of drug suspects were the following individuals wanted on other charges :

1. Judi J. Proffitt age 43 of Cold Water, Michigan arrested on Dow Adkins Lane, 9 miles South of London charged on a Whitley District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of receiving stolen property under $500; contempt of court.
2. Bridgette Wooldridge age 20 of Robinson Creek Rd., Lily arrested on Dow Adkins Lane, Corbin charged on a Whitley District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court for a pretrial conference.
3. Ashley N. Napier age 26 of Corbin charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court for arraignment on numerous violations
4. Kathy R. Rucker age 58 of Corbin charged on a Knox Circuit Court indictment bench warrant of arrest charging manufacturing methamphetamine – first offense; possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Assisting on the arrests today were: 4 teams of officers headed by Sheriff John Root - Comprised of Laurel Sheriff's detectives, deputies, bailiffs, CSO's, Laurel Sheriff’s Officer K-9 Teams,  U.S. Marshal Service London Office, London City Police, and Kentucky State Police.

Arrests will be continuing.

Photos courtesy of Laurel Sheriff's Office and Laurel County Detention Center

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When campaigning for Sheriff 8 years ago, John Root promised the voters that he would wage war on the drug dealers of Laurel County. He has kept that promise.

Today's roundup of drug dealers continues to show Sheriff John Root's level of commitment to continue this pledge.
His office has the full cooperation of Laurel County Attorney Jodi Albright and Laurel Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele as the Laurel County Sheriff's Office and Laurel county's prosecutors work side-by-side to eradicate the drugs which destroy the future of this County.

A total of 17 persons were arrested today. More arrests will occur as suspects are located.

Sheriff John  Root stated that he wanted today's arrests of area drug traffickers to reemphasize his promise  that his office will be continuing to fight the "War on Drugs" as he promised citizens that he would.