SOMERSET, KY - Pulaski County Sheriff's Office is reporting that two men are in custody following a pursuit in Pulaski County. According to Sheriff Greg Speck, on Wednesday evening August 31, 2022, Detectives from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Division were working traffic interdiction in southern Pulaski County. Detectives observed a suspicious white 2012 Ford F150 and ran the vehicle registration, discovering that the insurance on the truck could not be verified.
Detective Tan Hudson conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle on Highway 914 at the intersection of South Highway 1247. Detective Hudson spoke to the driver, Gary Lee Voiles, age 61 of London, Kentucky, who provided Detective Hudson with an expired insurance card.
While verifying the information on Voiles’ vehicle and the passenger, John Buell Carico, age 55 of Cambridge City, Indiana, Sergeant Branson Patterson arrived on scene with his K9 Rocky (right).
Detective Hudson asked for consent to search the vehicle, due to the occupant’s actions.
Sergeant Patterson walked Rocky around the vehicle and advised Detectives Rocky alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
Sergeant Patterson, after securing Rocky in his patrol unit, removed Voiles, the driver, from the vehicle.
Detective Hudson attempted to remove Carico from the vehicle, however Carico’s door was locked. Carico, previously the passenger, slid across to the driver’s side of the vehicle and fled the scene.
While leaving the scene, Carico struck Sergeant Patterson with the cab of vehicle, and nearly struck Voiles. Carico fled north bound on Highway 914.
Detective Hudson and Sergeant Patterson began pursuing Carico from the scene, leaving Voiles with Detectives on the scene.
Voiles proceeded to the intersection of KY 914 and East Highway 80, where he turned eastbound, toward London. Deputies were joined in the pursuit by Law Enforcement Officers from various agencies. The pursuit continued eastbound on Highway 80 reaching speeds in excess of 100 MPH.
Carico reached the intersection of Highway 80 and Highway 461, where he drove through cones and entered into the gravel portion of the construction zone. Carico then took the Somerset exit on the clover leaf and began traveling westbound on East Highway 80, toward Somerset.
The Somerset Police Department set up at various intersections to deploy stop sticks, in an attempt to terminate the pursuit. Their efforts were successful at the intersection of Kentucky 914 and East Highway 80, deflating the driver's front tire. Carico continued a short distance where his vehicle became disabled and came to a stop. Carico was ordered from the vehicle, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Law Enforcement Officers began back tracking the area covered during the pursuit. Officer Nick Taylor, Somerset Police Department, located a bag, approximately 50 yards from the site of the original traffic stop.
Detectives arrived on scene, examined the contents of the bag, and discovered a large quantity of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Gabapentin.
After further investigation, it was determined the substances came from inside of the vehicle, after Carico fled.
Seized from the scene was:
- Approximately 741.1 grams of Methamphetamine
- Approximately 9.8 grams of Cocaine
- 102 Gabapentin
John Buell Carico, age 55 of Cambridge City, Indiana and Gary Lee Voiles, age 61 of London, Kentucky
Both individuals were taken into custody and lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.
John Carico was charged with:
- Speeding 26 MPH or greater
- Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle)
- Assault 3rd Degree – Police Officer
- Operating on Suspended or Revoked Operators License
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1st Offense (Methamphetamine over 2 grams)
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1st Offense (Cocaine over 4 grams)
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 3rd Degree 1st Offense
- Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree
- Reckless Driving
Gary Voiles was charged with:
- Failure of Owner to Maintain Required Insurance
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1st Offense (Methamphetamine over 2 grams)
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1st Offense (Cocaine over 4 grams)
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 3rd Degree 1st Offense
Photos of the accused are courtesy of Pulaski County Detention Center.
Contraband photo is from the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office was assisted on the pursuit and/or investigation by the Somerset Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Ferguson Police Department, Department of Corrections – Probation and Parole, U.S. Marshals, and the FBI.
Sheriff Greg Speck asked that if you have any information about drug activity or any crime, contact our office at 606-678-5145. You can remain anonymous. If you go to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office website at www.pulaskisheriff.com/tip.php, it gives you three options to submit anonymous tips.
Contact: Major Jeff Hancock
Chief Deputy
606-678-5145
