LCADTF charges lead indictments

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

The McCreary County Grand Jury returned 14 indictments against 16 individuals this week. Six of the individuals were part of charges brought by the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force as a result of investigations into illegal drug trafficking.

In the past two months a total of 16 indictments were issued from evidence presented by the LCADTF, and Sheriff Randy Waters, who has worked with the agency on investigations, states more are to come.
“The McCreary County Sheriff’s Office has been working side by side with the Task Force in investigating various drug complaints in the county,” Sheriff Waters said. “Officers would respond to complaints, and tip line information, on incidents of suspected illegal drug activity. Then, undercover officers and confidential informants would purchase narcotics from the dealers and that evidence would be used to obtain an arrest or indictment.”
Sheriff Waters said several types of drugs were discovered throughout the course of the investigations including meth, cocaine, heroine and prescription medication. Suboxone, a drug used to treat addiction to pain relievers was growing more prevalent in the investigations.
Orville Daugherty, of Pine Knot was indicted on two counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance First Degree for reportedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant from the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force on December 5 and December 19, 2016. Daugherty also faces Persistent Felony Offender charges after a 2009 conviction in the McCreary County Circuit Court.
Danny Ball, of Stearns, was indicted on a count of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance First Degree for allegedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant from the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force on December 5, 2016. Ball is also charged with being a Persistent Felony Offender after a previous conviction in the McCreary County Circuit Court in 2008.
Tiffany Wilson, of Pine Knot, was charged with one count of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance Second Degree for reportedly selling 2 Buprenorphine tablets to a LCADTF confidential informant on February 1. Wilson was also charged with being a Persistent Felony Offender after a 2015 conviction in Circuit Court, and is still on probation in the case.
Dustin Conaster, of Stearns, was indicted on two counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance Second Degree for allegedly selling a total of two Buprenophrine tablets to a LCADTF confidential informant on March 7 and 8.
Joey Thomas and Julie Thomas, both of Stearns, were indicted on two counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance Second Degree for allegedly selling a total of seven Buprenorphine tablets to a LCADTF confidential informant on January 11 and February 1.
Kelly Roberts, of Pine Knot, was charged with Possession of Marijuana under 8 Ounces, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance Third Degree and Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing marijuana, a quantity of Xanax and methamphetamine and items commonly used for the ingestion and/or distribution of controlled substances on May 23.
David Upchurch, of Somerset, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants for reportedly driving while under the influence and possessing a quantity of methamphetamine on October 2.
Brittany Lewis, of Corbin, and Robert Cole, of Whitley City were indicted on counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance First Degree and Possession of Drug paraphernalia for allegedly being found with a quantity of methamphetamine and items commonly used for the ingestion and/or distribution of controlled substances on September 1.
Matthew Tunnat, of Somerset was charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance First Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for allegedly having in his possession, for the purpose of sale, a quantity of methamphetamine and items commonly used for the ingestion and/or distribution of controlled substances on September 4.
Dewayne Goins, of Parkers Lake, was indicted on counts of Wanton Endangerment First Degree, Terroristic Threatening Third Degree and Leaving the Scene of an Accident for reportedly threatening to kill or cause serious injury to another individual, engaging in conduct creating a danger of death or serious injury to the individual and leaving the scene after striking the victim’s vehicle head on with his vehicle on May 26. Goins also faces a Persistent Felony Offender charge after a previous felony conviction in Ohio.
Timothy Whitehead, of Stearns, was charged with Burglary First Degree, Burglary Third Degree, Theft by Unlawful Taking over $500 and Criminal Mischief First Degree for allegedly illegally entering a residence and out building while in the possession of a firearm, taking tools and toys and damaging an out building and items with a loss of over $1,000 on September 27.
Patricia Meadows, of Whitley City, faces three counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card over $500 Within Six Months after knowingly and unlawfully using a credit card issued to Greater Air Systems to obtain food, fuel and other items between February 2016 to May 2017.
Leticia Chambers, of Hellenwood, was indicted on a count of Bailjumping First Degree for reportedly failing to appear in McCreary County Circuit Court on felony charges pursuant to the terms of a bail bond.
Joseph Jones, of Whitley City, was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence Third Offense for allegedly driving while under the influence after two prior OUI convictions in 2014.

The Voice would like to remind our readers that an indictment is not an indication of one’s guilt or innocence, but represents that enough evidence exists in a case to pursue the matter in a court of law.