Nine arrested in drug dealer sweep Thursday

Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies and officers from two other departments took to the roads early Thursday morning during a round-up of nine people suspected on drug charges.

Sheriff Colan Harrell said that the arrests stem from an investigation that has taken place over several months.

He said one arrest stemmed from cocaine and the rest were from prescription medication.

"It’s a promise. There will be more," Harrell said of additional planned drug round-ups. "The drug problem is improving from the enforcement end of it, but there is still a big problem with prescription drugs, some meth and we are seeing some cocaine again."

Harrell said that the volume of cocaine that officers are running across is increasing.

"It is coming back. It was the drug of choice of course. Now it is prescription pain medicine, but I feel like it is making a move back," he added.

Those arrested Thursday, include:

¥ Roger Johnson Jr., 21, Feather Creek, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Kenneth Powers, 25, Little Wolf Creek, Williamsburg, – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Jacklyn Jones, 25, Lot Mud Creek, Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Charlie Prewitt, 36, Lot Mud Creek, Williamsburg – first-degree and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ George Dean, 31, Mauney Chapel Road, Williamsburg – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Tony Brammlett, 41, Sukie Hollow Road, Williamsburg – two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
Harrell said that deputies are still searching for three other suspects in connection with the round-up, but one suspect is supposed to turn himself into authorities.

Officers taking part in the round-up, included: Harrell, Chief Deputy K.Y. Fuson, Capt. Greg "Mugs" Pace, Lt. Bill Riley, Detective Tim Baker, Deputy Todd Shelley, Williamsburg Police Lt. Jason Caddell, Williamsburg K-9 Officer Brandon Prewitt and Kentucky State Police Trooper Staci Walker.