Nine police officers took to the streets Tuesday morning as part of "Operation Pain Killer" in an attempt to arrest 15 people suspected of drug trafficking.
Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell said that the drug round-up was the result of a 10-month operation by his department that involved under cover drug purchases of primarily prescription pills.
Operation UNITE supplied the money to make the drug purchases.
"We are very grateful that they assist us in that manner," Harrell noted. "We plan to have several more round-ups in the not too distant future."
So far, police have arrested eight suspects in connection with the investigation, including:
• Michael Adam Rickett, 31, of Mount Morgan, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Billy Kidd Jones, 38, of Highland Park Avenue, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-methamphetamine.
• Stephen Kyle Bennett, 38, of Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Melinda J. Caddell, 40, of Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Roy L. Carr Jr., 40, of Mount Morgan, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• William Sulfridge, 20, of Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-methamphetamine.
• Sherman Lawson, 54, of Pete Walters Road, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Harold W. Croley, 63, of Corbin – trafficking in marijuana. Croley was released from jail on a $1,500 surety bond.
Deputies are asking for the public’s assistance in locating seven other suspects, including:
• Leann Perkins, 27 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Chris Rogers, 29 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• William Hubbard, 42 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Brooks Moses, 28 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Michael Walker, 26 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Holly Peace, 28 – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Beatrice Anderson, 35 – trafficking in a legend drug.
Anyone with information about the suspects whereabouts is asked to contact the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department during regular business hours at 549-6006 or after hours at 549-6017.
A total of nine officers took part in Tuesday’s round-up, including Harrell, six of his deputies, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers Steven Douglas and Toby Curry.
