30+ warrants issued in drug bust

NEWS EDITOR

Eastern Kentucky law enforcement agencies teamed up yesterday to remove 36 suspected drug dealers from Pike County streets.

“We know that arresting the drug dealers isn't the answer, but we also know it's necessary,” said Dan Smoot, UNITE's director of law enforcement.

Nearly 30 officers from Operation UNITE, the Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, the Pike County Sheriff's Department and the Pikeville Police Department gathered at the Pikeville Fire Training Center before making their way into various parts of the county.

As of Tuesday afternoon 16 residents had been arrested as a result of the roundup, Operation UNITE spokesperson Dale Morton said. The investigation will continue.

Most of the 72 criminal charges resulted from an 18-month investigation into the trafficking of cocaine and prescription pain medication, although several cases involved the sale of marijuana, said Paul Hayes, deputy law enforcement director for UNITE.

While for the most part the roundup went smoothly for law enforcement, one man now faces additional charges after threatening officers with a knife. Arnold Wolford Jr., 41, of Willows Branch Road, was charged by the Kentucky State Police with menacing and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.

During a press conference yesterday, officials stressed the importance of area law enforcement working together to combat the drug problem.

“We need to continue to work together and attack this problem through strong enforcement of drug laws, education in schools and rehabilitation,” said Pike County Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” Keesee.

UNITE Executive Director Karen Engle said that many of the people arrested yesterday have children.

“It's up to each and everyone one of us standing shoulder to shoulder to give these kids hope,” she said.

However, officials acknowledged that they can not fight the problem without the support of the community.

“We need community involvement,” said KSP spokesman Scott Hopkins. “They are our eyes and ears.”

Law enforcement officers spent Monday in Pike County following up on tips that had been called in to the drug tip line by citizens.

A total of 82 complaints received on 34 locations in and around Pikeville and the Shelbiana, Robinson Creek and Millard communities were investigated during the seven-hour operation, commonly referred to as “knock and talks.”

Police conducted consent searches at nearly half the places visited, with drugs discovered at two locations.

Zan Trivett was cited to court after officers located approximately 1 gram of marijuana at an Island Creek residence.

At a residence in Millard police discovered 209 Hydrocodone pills and 22 Xanax pills. That case is still under investigation and charges are pending.

Those arrested as of early Tuesday afternoon were:

n Dena P. Adkins, 43, of Fife Fork Road, Pikeville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n David Lendall Akers, 29, of Road Fork, Pikeville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Ronnie Lee Bartley, 50, of Powell's Creek, Pikeville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces.

n Fred Charles Jr., 40, of Greasy Creek, Shelbiana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

n Milford Junior Hall, 50, of East Shelbiana Road, Shelbiana, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Ray David Hamilton, 52, of Red Creek, Pikeville, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

n James E. Holstein, 55, Bridgett Street, Pikeville, three counts trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces and three counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

n Jonathan Ellis Holstein, 29, of Rocky Road, Pikeville, three counts trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces and three counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

n Buffy Nicole Kender, 34, of Kender Road, Mouthcard, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Hodge Allen McClanahan, 25, of Beach Creek, Jamboree, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Robbie Newsome, 24, of Lick Branch, Virgie, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Larry Heath Phillips, 33, of Hens Roost, Steele, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n William R. Sullivan, 45, of Little Hackney Creek, Feds Creek, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a simulated controlled substance.

n JoAnn Trump, 40, of Greasy Creek, Pikeville, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

n Arnold Wolford Jr., 41, of Willows Branch, Stopover, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, menacing and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.

n Charles Worrix Jr., 35, of Right Fork Island Creek, Pikeville, trafficking in a simulated controlled substance.