Local News
Sheriff's probe into local drug activity yields 20 indictments
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department continues its efforts to crack down on the illegal drug trade in Pulaski County, as a series of probes has led to the indictment of 20 different people on drug-related charges.
According to the sheriff’s office, the March session of a Pulaski County grand jury was presented with 20 separate cases by the sheriff’s narcotics division. The cases were the result of numerous ongoing investigations into the illegal manufacturing, possession and sale of narcotics in Pulaski County.
On March 9, those suspects — accounting for a total of 31 criminal charges — were indicted by the grand jury.
Two of those suspects were arrested Tuesday. Ronald Deroy Conatser, 33, of Somerset, was arrested and charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and Nancy Ellen Rankin, 47, of Somerset, was arrested and charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Both were lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.
Those individuals who were indicted and are currently being sought by the sheriff’s department include:
• Thomas Arthur, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Michael D. Brumley, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Jamie Denise Cordell, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Heather Nicole Crabtree, two counts of first-degree manufacturing metham-phetamine, two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, promoting contraband, and tampering with physical evidence;
• Jason Crabtree, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Paul E. England, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Jameson Charles Glover, first-degree manu-facturing methamphetamine, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, promoting contraband;
• Austin W. Harris, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Melissa L. Hogue, first-degree complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Timothy Hogue, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Corenna D. Johnson, first-degree manufac-turing methamphet-amine, possession of a controlled substance;
• Rodney William Johnston, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and being a persistent felony offender;
• Susie G. Lewis, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Berlin Matthew Smith, first-degree manufacturing methamphetamine, and being a persistent felony offender;
• Jessie Turner, first-degree manufacturing methamphetamine, and being a persistent felony offender;
• David Lee West, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance;
• Justin S. Wilson, first-degree possession of a controlled substance;
• Butter Mycha Wiseman, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
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LCADTF could lose big bucks
Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force officials estimate that the City of Somerset’s lack of involvement in the task force could lead to a loss of some $250,000 in federal funding per year — a chunk which could easily force the task force to close its doors.
David Keller, deputy director of Appalachia HIDTA, a major funding source for the local drug task force and the reason why federal and state law enforcement officers are able to be a part of the agency, says the agency’s current situation is more serious than many people realize.
Keller says HIDTA has made a “huge investment” in the LCADTF, but that folks shouldn’t get too comfortable with the agency’s ability to obtain grant money at the federal or state level.
“This is not entitlement money. ... Our grant is performance driven, and it’s sought after by competitive forces,” Keller said. “If this agency doesn’t produce, they stand a risk of not having the task force funded. That money will go someplace else — to another county that would love to have it.” -
HOME STRETCH
Less than a decade ago, Pleasant Hill was a pastoral community. Modern homes were tucked among shaded lawns. Cattle grazed peacefully at day and fireflies blinked in darkness. The area was served by a friendly little road called Clifty.
Things have changed and are changing. In a relatively few days, huge electric bulbs will glow, turning night forever into day. Horseless carriages will trek in places where tailpipes have belched never before. -
Meth lab raided thanks to Cruise
Two Pulaski residents were arrested yesterday as a result of their involvement in a methamphetamine lab in the basement of an East Oak Street home.
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