LONDON, KY (October 21, 2021) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root along with Sheriff's detectives, deputies, and K-9 teams arrested 18 individuals recently following the ongoing "War on Drugs" that Sheriff Root pledged that his office would continually conduct. While conducting drug investigations and executing indictment warrants and other warrants during “Operation Fall Break”, there were a total of 18 persons arrested with charges ranging from Trafficking Meth, possession of Meth, and indictment warrants for possession of Heroin, probation violation, complaint warrants and numerous FTA arrests.
Those arrested were identified as:
Cleve Smith age 49 of KY 229, London, KY arrested at Market Place in London driving a gold colored Chevrolet Colorado and found in possession of a large amount of Methamphetamine and was charged with:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court warrant of arrest obtained by Sheriff’s Detective Bryon Lawson charging:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense - Methamphetamine
Robert Lawsage 42 of Morgan Street, London, KY arrested off Morgan Street in London charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Burglary – second-degree
In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging:
- Failure to appear in court on charges of criminal trespassing – third-degree
Roy Burns age 40 of Hazel Patch Road, London, KY arrested off Hazel Patch Road approximately 6 miles north of London charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Heroin
Gentry Jones age 32 of Highway 1023, Lily, KY arrested in London charged on a Laurel Circuit Court bench warrant of arrest charging a probation violation regarding charges of:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first offense – second-degree
Cody Pruitt age 23 of Locust Grove Road, London, KY arrested off Locust Grove Road approximately 6 miles west of London charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
In addition this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court warrant of arrest obtained by Laurel Sheriff's Detective Bryon Lawson charging:
- Five counts of wanton endangerment – first-degree;
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot regarding a vehicle pursuit on July 27, 2021
John Karr age 52 of Richland Drive, Lily arrested off Ward Warner Cemetery Road charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
Dillon Asher age 41 of US Highway 25, Corbin arrested in London and charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot
Steven Shelton age 40 of West Market Street, Louisville, KY arrested in London and charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Heroin
- Persistent felony offender II
This individual is lodged in the Knox County jail.
Amy Fultz age 33 of South Wind Street, London, KY arrested in London and charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Persistent felony offender II
This individual is lodged in the Knox County jail.
Casey S. Crank age 29 of Forest Avenue, Hamilton, OH charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Persistent felony offender II
This individual is lodged in the Butler County Ohio Jail.
Dusty Wagoner age 30 of Shackle Road, London, KY arrested on South Laurel Road in London charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Bradley Davidson age 27 of Disney Dr., London arrested on South Laurel Rd. in London charged with:
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Dena Jervis age 52 of Somerset Road, London, KY arrested off Somerset Road approximately 3 miles west of London charged with:
- Hindering prosecution or apprehension – first-degree
Scott Seeley age 52 of Somerset Road, London, KY arrested off Somerset Road approximately 5 miles west of London charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest regarding an FTA on charges of:
- Possession of a controlled substance – first offense – second-degree
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Daniel Laws age 50 of Morgan Street, London, KY arrested off Spring Street in London charged with a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging:
- Fleeing or evading police – first-degree – motor vehicle
- Fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot
In addition, this subject was charged with:
- Theft by unlawful taking auto $1000 but under $10,000
Bobby Wilder age 43 of London, KY arrested off Old Richmond Road approximately 3 miles north of London charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging:
- Failure to appear in court on numerous violations
Rebecca Fultz age 34 of London, KY arrested 3 miles north of London off Old Richmond Road charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of:
- Alcohol intoxication and disorderly conduct
In addition, this subject was charged on a Whitley District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of:
- Assault 4th degree
- Two counts of wanton endangerment – second-degree
Kenneth Chandler age 47 of Twin Valley Road, London arrested off Old Crab Orchard Road approximately 3 miles north of London charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging:
- Failure to appear for arraignment on numerous violations
In addition, this subject was charged on a second Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging:
- Failure to appear for arraignment on numerous violations
Arrested suspects were lodged in the Laurel County correctional Center.
Photos of accused attached are courtesy of Laurel County Correctional Center.
More arrests related to this investigation will be occurring.
Assisting on the investigation and arrests were: Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Maj. Chuck Johnson, Capt. Robbie Grimes, Lieut. Chris Edwards, Sgt. Richard Dalrymple, Detective Bryon Lawson, Detective Allen Turner, Detective Brad Mitchell, Detective Robert Reed, Detective Taylor McDaniel, K-9 Deputy Jake Miller, Deputy Jamie Etherton, Deputy Hunter Disney, and Deputy Brian France.
Also assisting were other Sheriff's Deputies and Bailiffs.
When campaigning for Sheriff 11 years ago, Sheriff John Root promised the voters that he would wage war on drugs in Laurel County. He has kept that promise.
This week’s drug arrests 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.
