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| Police launch another drug roundup |
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
In a followup to previous investigations, Mt. Sterling police began another drug roundup last week that is expected to net 29 arrests on more than 100 cases.
The Mt. Sterling Police Department has now made more than 500 drug arrests in the five years since it began conducting its own drug investigations.
Those numbers illustrate the depth of the local drug problems, which shows no sign of letting up any time soon, MSPD Capt. David Charles said.
“It’s obviously an ongoing problem the community is struggling with,” Charles said. “This is one facet in which the community is responding. There’s also several groups and individuals that are facilitating the treatment of our addicts. We’re still concentrating on those that are dealing poison to our children and creating new addicts.
“My compassion goes to those addicted to these drugs,” he added. “However, once you begin trafficking in these narcotics you reach a new level and you will be dealt with.”
Prescription pills, particularly oxycodone, continue to be one of most abused drugs on the local scene, Charles said.
Crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine were also purchased, however, as part of the latest undercover investigation, he said.
Charles said most dealers are lured into drug trafficking by the easy money that comes with pushing pills and other drugs.
“The continued problem is the high profit level that exists in this illegal activity,” he said. “As long as the profits are high people will continue to do it. We have to attack not only from the supply side, but the demand side.”
This latest roundup comes on the heels of Operation Pill Crusher II, which resulted in more than 40 arrests when it was conducted this past December. Police got more than 100 convictions as part of Pill Crusher I, which was launched in April 2009.
Among those arrested thus far as part of the latest operation and their charges are:
• Brian S. Lacy, 38, of Clay City: trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree.
• Stephanie Spurlock, 25, of Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance, first.
• Jody J. Crouch, 32, of Olympia: trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
• Randy Phelps, 33, of Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance, first.
Names received after the Advocate went to press this week include:
• William Ray Ballard Jr., 28, Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance, first, four counts, and persistent felony offender, first, two counts.
• Alisha Dawn Wilhoit, 33, Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance, first.
• Paul R. Anderson, 52, Mt. Sterling: federal conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone.
• Myla Anders, 48, Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
• Tommy Harvey, 59, Mt. Sterling: federal conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone.
• Katrina R. Neff, 43, Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled substance, first.
• Rebecca Marie Hutson, 28, Mt. Sterling: trafficking in a controlled subtance, first, three counts and persistent felony offender, second.
In an unrelated drug case undercover officers made two arrests Aug. 20 in Gateway Plaza.
Terry C. Herald, 38, of Stanton, and Anthony Allen, 28, of Clay City, reportedly attempted to purchase 300 oxycodone from the officers, Charles said.
They were each charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree.
The charges are upgraded from class C felonies to class B felonies because the pair were armed with a .380 handgun, Charles said. A class B felony is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Herald was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, first.
This site will continue to be updated as new names come in.
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