LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root and London City Police Chief Chuck Johnson announce that: On Monday, January 9, 2023 the Laurel County Drug Interdiction Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a 2018 Nissan pickup truck at the south bound exit 38 off ramp of Interstate -75 in London.
During the traffic stop officers observed paraphernalia, guns, and other items that led to the probable cause search of the vehicle.
During the initial search, officers located approximately 5 ounces of Methamphetamine concealed in the breather in the engine compartment.
After developing more information, a search warrant was secured for the vehicle and it was re-searched. The search revealed the presence of an additional approximately 14 ounces of Methamphetamine concealed in the luggage rack on top of the pickup.
Owen Dewayne Mitchell and John Wesley Messer Jr.
Two suspects were arrested. They were were Identified as Owen Dewayne Mitchell age 49 of Rydell Road, Corbin, KY and John Wesley Messer Jr. age 29 of Hall Circle, Gray, KY.
Owen Mitchell was charged with:
- Trafficking Meth
John Messer was charged with:
- Trafficking Meth
Both individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of the accused are courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
A 3rd involved suspect who was identified through the continuing investigation was arrested on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 after fleeing from the Tennessee Highway Patrol driving a gray colored Nissan Frontier into Kentucky on Interstate 75 and finally forced stopped in northern Whitley County near the Laurel County line.
He is identified as: Woodburn J. Schlicht age 61 of Bee Creek Road, Corbin, KY
Woodburn Schlicht was charged with:
- Trafficking Meth
He was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Facility. No photo was immediately available.
