Deputies seize 3,802 cans of beer, 58 fifths of liquor

Two Rockholds residents are facing alcohol and firearms charges after police say they raided the couple’s bootlegging operation Sunday evening.
Members of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department descended on a mobile home at 9871 Hwy. 26 occupied by Darlene Ellery, 49, and Jim Thomas, 55, after an undercover officer purchased a 12-pack of beer from Ellery on Sunday.
According to Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Prewitt, who is investigating the case with Det. Chuck Davis, the raid was the culmination of a month-long investigation into activities at the residence.
“We’d had numerous complaints about illegal alcoholic beverages being sold here,” Prewitt said. “The investigation started about a month ago and included surveillance. We made the buy/bust and got a consent to search from the residents.”
Prewitt said the operation started when the department heard about a gun, reported stolen earlier in the month, being traded to Ellery and Thomas for beer.
Police seized 3,802 cans of beer in various 24 and 30-packs, along with 58 fifths of assorted hard liquor.
Ellery was issued a criminal citation for illegal possession of alcoholic beverages with intent to sell. Thomas, who arrived at the residence after police started the investigation, was arrested on the same offense and was also charged with defacing a firearm because of a pump shotgun police confiscated that had a sawed off barrel. Ten other shotguns and rifles were also confiscated and authorities were in the process Tuesday of trying to determine if they were stolen.
Authorities said Ellery wasn’t arrested because she had health problems.
Police found the alcohol mostly in an outdoor storage building and stored in six refrigerators on an L-shaped covered porch surrounding the shed. A price list was affixed to the front of one of the refrigerators.
According to Prewitt, police are investigating whether many items found lying in and around the residence have been reported stolen.
“We suspect a lot of this stuff is stolen,” he said. “Instead of going to pawn shops or whatever, people are bringing stuff here for alcohol.”
Prewitt said he’s also gotten reports of juveniles purchasing marijuana from Ellery and Thomas, but that allegation is still under investigation. Some prescription pills and money were also taken during the raid.
Five other people were arrested while police conducted the raid; all of them allegedly arrived at the residence to purchase alcohol. Those arrested include: Jason Kersey, 19, of Williamsburg, DUI; Curtis Helton, 19, of Corbin, DUI; Stanley Kidd, Jr., 19, Rockholds, alcohol intoxication; Jimmy Kidd, 18, of Rockholds, alcohol intoxication; and James Barton, 24, of Williamsburg, alcohol intoxication.
Participating in the bust were Deputies Glenn Bunch, Josh Meadors, Jeremiah Morgan, and Josh Wolfe of the Williamsburg Rescue Squad.