SOMERSET – Drug trafficking is a huge problem in Somerset and Pulaski County that requires a strong coordinated effort to stop. That effort was on full display Tuesday, August 31.
“We average about 20 drug arrests per week,” acting Somerset police chief Major Doug Nelson explained to more than three dozen people gathered at Somerset City Hall prior to a roundup of 38 suspected drug dealers.
In addition to law enforcement officers from four agencies, Tuesday’s briefing was attended by members of the Pulaski County UNITE Coalition, Somerset Fire Department (which has the capability of cleaning up methamphetamine labs), the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Demand Reduction unit, the commonwealth attorney’s office, Somerset city government and Pulaski County Detention Center.
“Everyone in this room plays an important role in the fight against substance abuse,” said UNITE Law Enforcement Director Dan Smoot. “It’s not just about law enforcement, but about how drugs negatively impact the lives of every citizen in Somerset and Pulaski County.”
The District Court arrest warrants were obtained following many months of undercover investigations by the Somerset Police Department and Operation UNITE.
Most of the drugs purchased during the investigation were Percocet, OxyContin, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills, although several cases involved Methamphetamine and marijuana, Smoot noted.
Setting out in teams just after 8:30 a.m., officers from the Somerset Police Department, Operation UNITE and the Kentucky State Police searched from Eubank to Tateville for suspects – several of whom were known to be out of state or in jail for other offenses.
As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday 14 of the 18 individuals wanted by UNITE had been located. Somerset Police had arrested or been in contact with 3 of the 20 suspects on their list. In addition, the city police had arrested two people on new drug charges, two on non-drug-related theft warrants, and a fugitive from Florida staying at a local motel.
Those charged by UNITE were:
• Von V. Burdine, age 60, James Street, Somerset, first degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Carl R. Creech, age 51, Economy Inn, Somerset, two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
• James Aaron Eldridge, age 22, Singleton Cemetery Road, Eubank, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Bobby J. Hall, age 54, James Street, Somerset, two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school and one count trafficking in a simulated controlled substance.
• Linda M. Hasty, age 45, Danny Drive, Burnside, three counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Johnny D. Hensley, age 28, Woodland Trails, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. Served at the McCreary County Jail.
• Amy L. Jacob, age 35, Bourne Avenue, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Eric Shane Langdon, age 33, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts each of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. He will be served at the East Kentucky Correctional Complex.
• Kimberly L. Langdon, age 30, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Christopher L. Lemmon, age 38, McKee Lane, Burnside, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• James Robert Phelps, age 61, Lookout Street, Somerset, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Robert J. Phelps, age 29, South Highway 837, Nancy, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Served at the Pulaski County Detention Center.
• William P. Whitis, age 62, Brandon Street, Ferguson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• An 18-year-old South Main Street Somerset man who was a juvenile at the time of the offense will be served through the courts on three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
Officers were continuing their search for the remaining suspects.
To view photos from the roundup click here.