30 suspected drug dealers targeted in Operation Snowflake roundup

Arrested drug suspects file into the Whitley County Courthouse Tuesday.

With snow coming down, more than a dozen police officers from across Whitley County took to the streets Tuesday morning looking for 30 suspected drug dealers as part of "Operation Snowflake."

Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell said the that round-up was several months in the making and involved confidential informants purchasing pain pills in 27 of the 30 cases. The other three cases involved the purchase of methamphetamine.

"The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department enforces the law with zero tolerance for drug trafficking," Harrell said. "Whether you sell two pills or 50 pills, whether you’re 18 or 81 years old, you are going to jail if you sell drugs."

Harrell said that the round-up was named "Operation Snowflake" in part because of the snow coming down when deputies started the round-up, and in part because two round-ups earlier this year had to be postponed due to ice.

"Part of these are those, who we would have arrested then," Harrell said. "I feel like we are making a dent in the drug trafficking. I also might add that this won’t be the last drug round-up. We will continue to take them to the door at the courthouse. What happens after that point is beyond my control."

Those taking part in the investigation included: Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Steve Douglas, Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby Freeman, Williamsburg Police Officer Brandon White and numerous Whitley County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

"I think this is nice that it is a multiple agency movement. It shows that we are all working together. This is a wonderful thing.

This shows what we can get done when we all work together," Harrell added.

By 3 p.m. Tuesday, 18 people had been arrested so far in connection with the investigation including:

• Christen Sutton, 33, of Alsile Road, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Matthew Paul Croley, 24, of Cow Bell Avenue, Emlyn – three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• M. Nelson, 23, of Railroad Street, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Christina L. Nichols, 27, of Brush Arbor Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Stephen A. Hacker, 38, of Rockholds – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Randall Allen McGlone Jr., 37, of Ben Taylor Apartments, Williamsburg – two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Melinda McGlone, 42, of Ben Taylor Apartments, Williamsburg – two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• James Michael Riccobene Jr., 27, of Ben Taylor Apartments, Williamsburg – first-degree and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Anita Swain, 51, of Ben Taylor Apartments, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Teddy E. Isaac, 34, of Main Street, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Gary Douglas, 56, of Cemetery Road, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Melissa Powers, 41, of Edna Hayes Road, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Dennis E. Lawson, 43, of Mount Morgan Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Eric Cox, 24, of S. US25W, Corbin – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• James T. Wade, 44, of Tyes Ferry Road, Rockholds – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Kimberly Strean, 31, of Mount Morgan Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tony Petrey, 41, currently incarcerated at LaGrange Correction Complex – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-meth.

• Whitney Leach, 24, of Sandy Branch Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in helping locate the remaining suspects. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s department during regular business hours at 549-6006 or after hours through Whitley County E911 Dispatch at 549-6017.

The remaining suspects, who remain at large, include:

• Latosha Kirklin, 22, of Kensee Hollow – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-meth.

• Scott Kirklin, 27, of Kensee Hollow – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-meth.

• Derek Beeler, 39, of Whipporwill Road – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Cheryl Musick, 46, of Douglas Lane, Jellico – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Douglas R. Griffith, Brush Arbor Apartments, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Betty Bowling, 50, of Jacks Fork Road, Rockholds – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Chris Broyles, 32, of 13th Street, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Nathan Stevens, 20, of Cumberland Heights Apartments, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Roger Johnson, 47, of Rains Street, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Kevin Powers, 42, of Edna Hayes Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Joshua A. Randle, 32, of Hamblin Hollow Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Carolyn Elliott, 48, of Higgin Street Apartments, Corbin – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.