HAZARD – Ten of 22 people wanted as a result of Operation UNITE investigations in drug sales in Perry County over the past year were arrested Wednesday and Thursday.
Most of the cases involved the illegal sale of prescription pain medications.
Two individuals were arrested Wednesday evening after UNITE detectives and Perry County Sheriff’s deputies accompanied social service workers to a home on Lost Fork Road in Cornettsville.
Inside the home law enforcement officers discovered approximately 200 pills, a quantity of marijuana, and a Highpoint .380 semi-automatic pistol, most concealed inside children’s clothing in the bedroom.
Two people living at the home were arrested, and four children – ranging in age from infant to elementary – were removed by social services. Arrested were:
• Kenneth R. Wooton, age 46 – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
• Abbey C. Daniels, age 31 – trafficking in marijuana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
On Wednesday morning UNITE detectives were assisted by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Hazard Police Department and Kentucky State Police in trying to serve 20 arrest warrants.
By late afternoon they had charged eight people:
• Christopher Hampton, age 38, Moore Street, Hazard – theft by unlawful taking over $300.
• Ross Herslip, age 24, Red Oak Road, Vicco (Knott County) – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• George Hurt, age 26, Bart Camp Branch, Delphia, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Phyllis Noble Jones, age 39, Lost Creek Road, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.
• Danny J. Lawson, age 33, Big Willard, Busy, Possession of marijuana.
• Mikisha Little, age 26, Combs, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Ray Little, age 32, Lick Branch, Combs, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Clinton Thacker, age 37, East Main Street, Hazard – four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
Police are continuing to search for the other 12 subjects.