Letcher County Sheriff’s Office makes three drug-related arrests in single day

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - (UPDATE: 3/10/23) On Tuesday, March 7, three men were arrested by the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in separate incidents, but all were on drug-related charges.

Sheriff Mickey Stines said it was all in a day’s work for him and his two deputies.

“We’ve caught one individual with a pound and a half, and we’ve caught several individuals with ounces, you know, 100 grams plus, we’ve had multiple cases,” said Stines.

He added that throughout his time as sheriff, drug-related incidents have always been a problem, keeping the small agency busy.

“Starting the fifth year of- this first year of my second term, five years total, the two road deputies have removed over seven pounds of methamphetamine,” he said.

Despite the numerous arrests, Sheriff Stines said he believes the best way to battle drugs is to battle addiction itself.

“Get them into treatment, see if we can get their life changed, see if we can get their family back, and get their kids back, get them a job, let them be a productive member of society,” he added.

Stines said he vows to keep taking illegal narcotics off the streets.

“We’re going to continue the next four years to remove as much drugs as we can. If you’re selling dope or you’re using dope and you’re involved in the drug scene, we’re going to be on your tail. It’s pretty simple. It’s my job and we’re going to do it,” he said.

(ORIGINAL: 3/8/23) 51-year-old Robert Johnson of Isom was involved in a traffic stop but fled from officers on foot before jumping into a river. Johnson was eventually arrested by Deputy James Norris, who was assisted by officers from Whitesburg Police Department.

Johnson was charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), fleeing and evading, resisting arrest and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Later, Sheriff Mickey Stines also arrested Edward Webb, 44, of Dry Fork. Webb had an active warrant for his arrest and, during the arrest, Sheriff Stines also found narcotics in Webb’s wallet.

Webb was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance.

That evening, Deputy Seth Whitaker responded to a call about a man “passed out” in a car near the Making area. William Adams, 55, of Mayking, was later arrested and, after a search, Deputy Whitaker found several narcotics.

Adams was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third-degree possession of a controlled substance (gabapentin), and possession of marijuana.

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