Right Place, Right Time

McCreary Sheriff’s Office and KSP find meth and make arrest

By Eugenia Jones

On December 14, 2022, while attempting to serve a warrant on one individual on A. Taylor road, McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy Stuart Bryant and KSP Trooper Harrison Wells were in the right place at the right time to charge and arrest a passerby for alleged drug related offenses.

McCreary County Sheriff Randy Waters reported McCreary County Deputy Bryant was attempting to serve a warrant when a tan/beige 1994 two door conventional cab Chevrolet passed by on the road.  The vehicle was pulling a trailer and attempted to turn around at a nearby residence.  When the Chevy and trailer backed up, the home owner yelled that the vehicle had possibly hit her vehicle.

Trooper Wells ran to the residence, saw the driver of the Chevy and knew it to be 42 year old Daniel Lee Ridener of Whitley City.

Trooper Wells was aware of an active warrant on Ridener and gave loud verbal commands for Ridener to show his hands.  Ridener did not comply.   Trooper Wells observed Ridener with his left arm in between the driver’s door and seat and his right hand concealed behind a backpack located in the center seat of the vehicle.  Trooper Wells gave Ridener loud verbal commands to put the truck in park and turn the vehicle off.  Initially, Ridener was noncompliant but eventually did as Officer Wells instructed.

Deputy Bryant approached the location and spoke with the passenger in the vehicle.  The passenger did not have any active warrants.  Trooper Wells requested the driver, Ridener, to exit the vehicle.  Ridener did so and was arrested without incident.

Trooper Wells observed a black zipper case behind the seat where he had previously noticed Ridener’s hand.  Deputy Bryant located a clear plastic bag containing a crystal rock substance inside the case.  Using his Trunarc instrument, Trooper Wells identified the substance as methamphetamine.  Additional items inside the black zipper case included several used hypodermic syringes, empty baggies, and digital scales.  The officers also found a grocery type bag behind the backpack.  The bag contained zip lock bags and mushrooms. 

Ridener was arrested and charged for several alleged offenses including the following: 

Daniel Lee Ridener

McCreary County’s Sherriff’s Office:  1.  Drug Paraphernalia-Buy/Possess   2.  Trafficking in Controlled Sustance, 1st degree, 2nd or > (> or =2 GMS Methamphetamine).

Kentucky State Police (based on prior indictment and active warrant):  1.  Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st degree, 1st offense,  2.  Trafficking in Controlled substance, 1st degree,  3.  Possession of Controlled Substance 1st degree (Methamphetamine), and 4. Persistent Felony Offender II.

Ridener was lodged in the Knox County Jail.