Wayne County traffic stop leads to local arrest
According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron, a vehicle traffic stop led to the arrest of a Pulaski County man on drug trafficking charges along with a McCreary County woman on drug related charges.
On January 31, 2023, at approximately 12:10 a.m., Deputies James Barnett and Allen Cash observed a vehicle with an open trunk lid traveling on East Kentucky 90 after it pulled out of a local business. The deputies originally stopped the vehicle to make the driver aware of the open trunk lid to prevent items from falling out onto the roadway. A check of the vehicle registration showed the vehicle needed to have its proof of insurance verified. After asking the driver for proof of insurance and his operator’s license, the deputies learned the insurance was expired, and the driver operator’s license was suspended. The deputies were also advised by the Wayne County 911 Dispatch that the driver had a total of six active arrest warrants. Deputy Barnett then placed the driver under arrest for the active warrants.
While conducting a search of the driver, a large bag of suspected methamphetamine was found on his person. Deputy Cash noticed a female passenger was holding a sizeable amount of cash in her hands, and was counting it at the time he approached her. The female refused to stop counting the cash and would not exit the vehicle. Deputy Cash then removed her from the vehicle. The female continuously tried to pull away from Deputy Cash before handcuffs could be placed on her. A continued search of the vehicle resulted in discovery of a set of digital scales in the console with a crystal substance residue on it. A search of the female’s purse resulted in discovery of a small plastic container with a crystal substance inside, suspected to be methamphetamine. A glass smoking pipe, commonly used with illegal narcotics, was also found in the purse. All of these items were seized along with cash totaling $1,485.00. During questioning of the driver, the driver admitted the cash was his. The driver said he had just given it to the female to count before going to jail.
While processing paperwork on the arrestees at the Sheriff Office, the bag of crystal substance tested positive on the Tru-Narc Narcotic Analysis Equipment. The substance had a total weight of 26.5 grams.
Deputy Barnett charged and arrested Michael Lyons of Bronston, Ky. for operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance, trafficking in a controlled substance-1st degree (greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lyons was arrested on a Kentucky Parole Board Mandatory Reentry Supervision Violation Warrant of Arrest for absconding parole supervision, failure to report change in home address to Parole Officer, and failure to report to Parole Officer. Lyons was also arrested on five McCreary County Circuit Court Warrants of Arrest for five counts of failure to appear on the underlying charges of two counts of receiving stolen property, criminal mischief-1st degree, two counts of possession of a controlled substance-1st degree (methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance-1st degree (greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance-3rd degree (less than 20 drugs unspecified), fleeing or evading Police-2nd degree (on foot), resisting arrest, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Deputy Cash also charged and arrested Jackyn King of Strunk, Ky. for possession of a controlled substance-1st degree (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.
Both Lyons and King were lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.
