BARBOURVILLE, KY - On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Sheriff Mike Smith and several Knox County Deputies joined with the Laurel County Drug Interdiction Task Force Officers in the first joint undercover drug operation after signing the Memorandum of Understanding earlier that day.
In addition to the task force officers, Laurel County Deputies, London Police Department Officers, and DEA agents assisted in the arrests of the following individuals for trafficking in illegal drugs in Knox County:
Jaysa Engle age 19 of Barbourville, KY arrested on Coal Port Road in Artemus and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine. Two plastic bags and a pill bottle containing suspected methamphetamine were found in her possession.
Joseph W. Holt age 34 of Artemus, KY arrested on Coal Port Road in Artemus and charged with two counts of Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine. During the arrest, two clear plastic bags and a pill bottle of suspected methamphetamine were found in his possession. He was then charged with a third count of Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree.
Jamesmax R. Herren age 36 of Corbin, KY arrested on Old Lynn Camp School Road in Corbin and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine.
Charles Fields age 41 of London, KY was arrested at this residence on a Knox County Bench Warrant for failure to appear on a Possession Controlled Substance-2nd Degree charge.
Eric Wilson age 41 of Corbin, KY was also arrested at this residence on a Whitley County Bench Warrant for a Contempt of Court charge.
Josh Messer age 41 of Barbourville, KY arrested on Pitzer Street in Barbourville and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine
Larry Tyler Hammons age 28 of Manchester, KY arrested on KY 2418 in Barbourville and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.
Jamerson Cannon age 25 of Dayton, OH arrested on KY 2418 in Barbourville and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.
Tyler Ross age 24 of Troy, OH arrested on KY 2418 in Barbourville and charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance-1st Degree/methamphetamine. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.
Approximately one (1) pound of suspected methamphetamine and a plastic bag containing approximately three (3) ounces of marijuana were found in the possession of Larry Hammons, Jamerson Cannon, and Tyler Ross.
All of the above arrestees were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.
Photos of seized contraband and arrested individuals are from the Knox County, Ky. Sheriff's Department.
Operation U.N.I.T.E. also provided assistance during this investigation.
