Somerset, KY (February 16, 2023) - Sheriff Bobby Jones is reporting that on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, two Pulaski County residents were arrested following a traffic stop.
The incident began when Detectives with the Narcotics Division and the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, were conducting surveillance on known drug traffickers. Detective Tan Hudson was clearing the scene of a traffic stop and observed a vehicle pass his location, operated by one of the suspected traffickers.
Detective Hudson pulled out behind the vehicle on Bourne Avenue. The vehicle then drove at a high rate of speed, in an attempt to elude police. The vehicle turned on Walnut Avenue, Hall Street, and finally Eckstein Street, where Detective Hudson was able to catch up to the vehicle, when the vehicle came to a dead end.
Detective Hudson removed the occupants of the vehicle, Derrick Lewis Johnson age 35, of Somerset and Samantha Newsome, age 27, of Somerset. When Johnson was removed, he threw a container, scattering pills in the driveway of a residence.
Once other Law Enforcement arrived on scene, a search of the vehicle was conducted and the Officers located:
- Approximately 3.4 grams of Fentanyl
- Approximately ½ gram of Methamphetamine
- 18 Xanax
Both occupants had outstanding warrants and were arrested on the scene and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center.
Following the traffic stop, a search warrant was issued for Johnson’s residence.
Upon searching Johnson’s residence, Detectives located:
- Approximately 14 grams of Fentanyl
- Approximately 1 gram of Methamphetamine
- Baggies
- Digital scales
Derrick Johnson was charged with the following:
1. Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Offense (Fentanyl)
2. Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1St Offense (< 2 grams) methamphetamine
3. Trafficking in Controlled Substance 3rd Degree 1st Offense (<20 D.U.)
4. Fleeing or Evading Police, 2nd Degree (Motor Vehicle)
5. No Registration Plates
6. Operating on Suspended or Revoked License
7. Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess
8. Failure to or Improper Signal
9. Reckless Driving
10. Pulaski County District Court Warrant for Failure to Appear
11. Pulaski County District Court Warrant for Failure to Appear
12. Pulaski County District Court Warrant for Contempt
13. Pulaski County District Court Warrant for Contempt
Samantha Newsome was charged with the following:
1. Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Offense (Fentanyl)
2. Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree 1St Offense (< 2 grams) methamphetamine
3. Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess
4. Lincoln County Circuit Court warrant for Contempt
Both individuals were lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.
Photos of the accused are courtesy of the Pulaski County Detention Center.
The Pulaski County Narcotics Division was assisted by the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, Lieutenant Richard Smith, Deputy Seth Gover, and the Somerset Police Department.
The case remains under investigation by Detective Tan Hudson of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division.
Sheriff Bobby Jones asks if you have any information about drug activity or any crime to contact our tip line at 606-679-8477. You can remain anonymous. You can also leave a tip on our webpage at http://www.pulaskisheriff.com.
