Laurel County Sheriff's Office recent arrests (2024)

The Laurel County Sheriff's Office recently released the following reports of their law enforcement actions:

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Travis Napier along with CSO Sean Hayre arrested Rocky T. Peters, age 44, of London on Nov. 2 at approximately 9:13 p.m. The arrest occurred off West Third Street in London after deputies received a complaint that a male subject was in the lobby of the Laurel County Detention Center and appeared to be under the influence. As Napier approached the detention center, Peters fled behind the jail, running through multiple yards and was detained in a driveway on Third Street and arrested without further incident. Peters was charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place and second=degree fleeing or evading police on foot. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Assisting were officers from London Police Department, Kentucky State Police and KSP/CVE officers.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Brad Mink arrested Belva Mayfield, age 39, of Manchester on Nov. 3, at approximately 12:34 p.m. The arrest occurred off KY 192 just west of London after Mink was dispatched to a complaint of a suspicious subject at a business there. Upon arrival at the scene, Mink conducted an investigation and determined that this subject was wanted on an outstanding warrant. This individual was charged on a Clay County bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on numerous traffic violations. While being booked into the Laurel County Detention Center and with assistance from the detention center personnel, during a routine search of the suspect, she was found in possession of baggies of a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine along with glass pipes. This individual was also charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first offense; first-degree promoting contraband; and possession of drug paraphernalia. This individual is lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Brad Mink along with Deputy Brandon Broughton arrested Garrett C. Burke, age 38, of Keavy on Nov. 3 at approximately 10 a.m. The arrest occurred off Earl Howard Road, approximately 12 miles south of London, while deputies were investigating a domestic dispute and learned this subject had active warrants of arrest. This individual was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of operating a suspended or revoked operators license, third-degree possession of a controlled substance, prescription controlled substances not in proper container first offense. In addition, the subject was also charged on a second Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest for failure to appear in court on charges of operating a suspended or revoked operators license and numerous traffic violations. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's court security officer Joey Andes along with court security officer Jim Young and court security officer Daniel Reed arrested Johnson D. Hensley, age 31, of London on Nov. 3 at approximately 10:23 a.m. The arrest occurred at the Laurel County Judicial Center in London after this subject entered the judicial center and appeared to be under the influence. An investigation was conducted and this subject was determined to be under the influence. Hensley was charged with public intoxication of controlled substances and was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, Detective Chris Edwards, along with Sgt. Robbie Grimes, Deputy Travis Napier, Sgt. John Inman, CSO Sean Hayre, assisted by KSP are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at East 80 Grocery, approximately 11 miles east of London on Nov. 2 at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Reportedly a lone gunman entered the store armed with a handgun and robbed the attendant of an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene. The gunman is described as a male subject wearing a Halloween mask and gloves. It is believed that a dark-colored pickup traveling from the East that left immediately after the robbery traveling toward London westbound on KY 80 may be involved in the robbery. Anyone with any information regarding the robbery or the suspect or the suspect vehicle is asked to contact the Laurel County Sheriff's office at 606-864-6600 or 606-878-7000. Information will be strictly confidential. Investigation is continuing.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Rick Cloyd along with Deputy Jamie Etherton and Detective Chris Edwards arrested Stephen R.Hedrick, age 59, of London on Nov. 3 at approximately 4:20 p.m. The arrest occurred off South Main Street in London after Hedrick was observed driving a green colored Chevrolet pickup and had driven into a sidewalk. A traffic stop was conducted and an investigation was conducted on the driver who was emitting the odor of alcoholic beverages and was determined to be under the influence. This individual was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, third offense; operating on suspended or revoked operators license and numerous other traffic violations. In addition, Hedrick was charged on an outstanding Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest for failure to appear in court on charges of driving on DUI suspended license, first offense. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Also assisting on the traffic stop because it appeared Hedrick was not going to stop was Lieut. Greg Porter, Sgt. Robbie Grimes, Deputy Jamie Grimes, Deputy Travis Napier, Cpl. Jack Caudill, Bailiff Jerry Poynter, Bailiff Roy Ball, CSO Brent France, and CSO John Dyche.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Byron Lawson arrested Christian Wessel, age 32, of Winchester, Kentucky, on Nov. 4 at approximately 6:19 a.m. The arrest occurred off South Laurel Road, approximately two miles south of London at the intersection of Highway 1189, after Lawson was dispatched to investigate an injury traffic crash there.

Wessel was driving the at-fault vehicle and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from his person. An investigation was conducted and he was determined to be under the influence and driving on DUI suspended license. Wessel was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, third offense; driving on DUI suspended license, first offense; failure to produce insurance card. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Broughton along with Deputy Josh Scott arrested two individuals off Philpot Road, approximately two miles southwest of London, on Nov. 4 at approximately 8:21 a.m. The arrests occurred while deputies were investigating a complaint there and found these two individuals and conducted an investigation determining that the two individuals were under the influence. Arrested were:

• Johnathan Sizemore, age 18, of London charged with public intoxication of controlled substances; and

• Carl D. Feltner, age 19, of London charged with public intoxication of controlled substances.

These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Jake Miller along with Deputy Shannon Jones arrested Randy Couch, age 44, of East Bernstadt on Nov. 5 at approximately 4:12 a.m. The arrest occurred off Winding Blade Road, approximately 10 miles north of London, after Couch was charged on a Knox District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of theft by unlawful taking, shoplifting under $500. Couch was lodged in Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Jake Miller along with Deputy Shannon Jones arrested Mark D. Elkins, age 47, of London on Nov. 5 at approximately 1:48 a.m. The arrest occurred off Chaney Ridge Road, approximately six miles north of London, after deputies located Elkins sitting in a tan colored Chevrolet Silverado in the driveway of a residence where he was allegedly not known. An investigation was conducted and Elkins was determined to be under the influence. Elkins was charged with public intoxication of controlled substances and was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Jake Miller along with Deputy Shannon Jones arrested Rebecca McClenney, age 26, of London on Nov. 5 at approximately 3:42 a.m. The arrest occurred off Hawk Creek Road, approximately six miles west of London, after deputies investigated a case where a woman advised that she was being chased, however deputies determined that this was false – the subject, McClenney, stated that she had previously smoked meth and deputies determined that she was under the influence. McClenney was charged with public intoxication of controlled substances and was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Josh Scott arrested Robert Ernest Higbee, age 36, of Corbin on Nov. 6 at approximately 12:38 p.m. The arrest occurred off Level Green Road, approximately 10 miles south of London, after Scott was dispatched to a domestic dispute there. Upon arrival at the scene, Scott made contact with the victim who advised that Higbee ran out the back door. Scott located Higbee nearby walking down the roadway and when the suspect saw Scott, he fled attempting to hide behind an out building. An investigation was conducted and it was learned that Higbee had an outstanding warrant. Higbee was charged with fourth-degree assault and second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot. In addition, Higbee was charged on a Knox County bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of theft by unlawful taking, shoplifting under $500. Higbee was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Deputy Brad Mink assisted on the investigation and arrest.

— Laurel Sheriff's Detective Kyle Gray along with Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, Detective Chris Edwards, Deputy Travis Napier and Deputy Brad Mink arrested two individuals off MJB drive, approximately three miles south of London, on Nov. 6 at approximately 2:19 p.m. The arrest occurred while deputies were conducting an investigation where the suspect vehicle from an earlier crime in Laurel County was registered to the address there. Deputies found the two individuals at this property in possession of drug paraphernalia along with suspected methamphetamine residue, and two juvenile kids present. The two adults arrested were identified as:

• Christopher George Cole, age 36, of London charged with four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degre possession of a controlled substance (meth), first offense, two counts of second-degree wanton endangerment, and public intoxication of controlled substances; and

• Elizabeth Johanna Cavan, age 30, of London charged with four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth) first offense, two counts of second-degree wanton endangerment and public intoxication of controlled substances.

These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. The two children were removed from the home and placed with other family by social services.

— Laurel Sheriff's Detective Chris Edwards arrested TJ Nelson, age 24, of London on Nov. 6 at approximately 4:15 p.m. The arrest occurred on O Johnson Road, approximately five miles west of London, after Nelson was observed operating a gold colored Pontiac Bonneville in a reckless manner at a high rate of speed on very narrow road. A traffic stop was conducted and Nelson was determined to be operating on DUI suspended license and was found in possession of a concealed weapon. Nelson was charged with reckless driving; driving on DUI suspended license, first offense; carrying a concealed weapon; failure of owner to maintain required insurance, first offense; and other traffic violations and was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Assisting was Deputy Josh Scott and Deputy Jamie Etherton.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Josh Scott investigated a three-vehicle injury traffic crash which occurred on West Cumberland Gap Pkwy., approximately 10 miles south of London, on Nov. 8 at approximately 12:29 p.m. The investigating deputy reports that apparently a driver driving a Chrysler 300M car stated he misjudged the distance between himself and a car in front of him stating further that it stopped quicker than he thought. His vehicle struck a Nissan Altima in the rear knocking it into the rear of a Dodge Ram pickup. The occupants of the vehicles involved included:

• the Chrysler 300M car – only one occupant – the driver, Bobby Pickard, age 85, of Gray, who was not injured;

• the Nissan Altima car — the driver, Seairra Justen, age 26, of London was transported by Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County to Baptist Hospital for treatment of possible injuries; a passenger, Brandon Eversole, age 32, of East Bernstadt was transported by Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County to Baptist Hospital for treatment of possible injuries; and

• the Dodge Ram pickup – only one occupant – the driver, Richard Doughty, age 31, of London reported no injuries.

Assisting at the scene of the crash was Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County.

— Laurel Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry along with Detective Kyle Gray, Detective Chris Edwards and Deputy Brandon Broughton arrested three individuals on Nov. 8 at approximately 12:42 p.m. The arrests occurred off Philpot Road, approximately four miles west of London, after two subjects were charged on warrants and one additional subject was found in possession of drug paraphernalia following an investigation conducted by the Sheriff's office. Arrested was:

• Phillip Stigall, age 51, of London charged with possession of drug paraphernalia;

• James Zeo, age 40, of London charged with failure to appear in court; and

• Edsel Mcqueen, age 52, of London charged with failure to appear in court.

These three individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

— Laurel Sheriff's deputies and detectives are investigating some thefts and vandalism occurring throughout Laurel County recently. Coin operated machines including air compressor machines, dryer machines and other coin operated machines have been either vandalized to force entry to the change compartment of the machine or the machine itself has been stolen and taken to another location and forced entry made to take the coins from the machines. The areas that have been involved include a carwash at KY 1223 off US 25E, a carwash at US 25 at American Greeting Card Road, and Levi Jackson Park campground. On Nov. 8, air compressor machines that had been damaged and forced entry to the machine to take coins was found off Salenas Lane, approximately 10 miles north of London. Some of the machines have been identified and returned to their owner, however, two machines have not yet been identified. A possible suspect vehicle involved may be a white colored Pontiac car. Anyone with any information concerning these thefts and vandalism is asked to contact the Laurel County Sheriff's office at 606-864-6600. Information will be strictly confidential.

— Laurel Sheriff's Detective Chris Edwards arrested Aaron Hayes, age 30, of McKee, Kentucky, on Nov. 9 at approximately 10:36 a.m. The arrest occurred off McWhorter Road (KY 638), approximately six miles east of London, after Edwards conducted an investigation on a suspicious vehicle there. The vehicle, a silver colored Toyota Celica, was driven by Hayes who was determined to be under the influence. In addition, Hayes was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and a concealed weapon. Hayes resisted arrest. Hayes was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, first offense; operating on suspended or revoked operators license; failure of owner to maintain required insurance, first offense; possession of drug paraphernalia; second-degree possession of a controlled substance; carrying a concealed weapon; and resisting arrest and was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Assisting at the scene was Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, Detective Kyle Gray, and Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.

— Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Rick Cloyd arrested Kayla Lynn Cornett, age 20, of London on Nov. 9 at approximately 3:10 p.m. The arrest occurred on High Moore Laurel Road, approximately three miles west of London, after Cornett was involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash with injuries. Her passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were both injured and transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Cloyd conducted an investigation and determined Cornett was under the influence. While Cornett was being booked into the detention center, suspected glass meth pipes, a bag of suspected meth and Suboxone were found in her possession although she had told Cloyd she had nothing illegal in her possession. Cornett was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, second offense; operating on suspended or revoked operators license; driving without a license/negligence in accident; first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth), first offense; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance; second-degree promoting contraband ; failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, first offense. In addition, Cornett was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of operating on suspended or revoked operators license. Cornett was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. Laurel Sheriff's CSO John Dyche assisted at the scene.

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