Deputy seizes cocaine, meth during recent traffic stops

Over the course of two days, a Whitley County Sheriff’s deputy seized cocaine and meth in connection with two separate traffic stops in southern Whitley County near the state line.

About 5 p.m. on Oct. 3, Deputy Jonas Saunders was patrolling in southern Whitley County when he stopped a 2006 blue Saturn near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.

During the stop, Saunders learned that the driver, Heath Hickok, 30, of Williamsburg was driving on a suspended license, and that passenger Joseph L. Ellison, 35, of Jellico, was wanted for arrest relating to a bench warrant, according to a sheriff’s department release.

When Saunders searched Ellison, he found a small bag with a white substance in Ellison’s shorts that is believed to be meth, according to his arrest citation.

Saunders also found a silver tin in Ellison’s waistline with coffee filters inside.

Ellison allegedly told police that the coffee filters were soaked in meth, and that he took Neurotin earlier in the day, according to the arrest citation.

Saunders charged Hickok with operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked license.

Saunders charged Ellison with first-degree possession of a controlled substance and public intoxication controlled substance excludes alcohol.

The next day on Oct. 4, Saunders was again patrolling in southern Whitley County when shortly before 8 p.m. he noticed a black Nissan stopped along the road near the second Highway 1804 intersection with three men inside.

One of the passengers, Wendel Malone, 42, of Jellico, was arrested on a bench warrant.

After all three men were removed from the vehicle, Saunders discovered a bag containing a powdery substance believed to be cocaine in the seat that had been occupied by Charles Collins, 45, of Williamsburg.

Saunders also discovered two hypodermic needles when he searched Collins, according to his arrest citation.

Collins allegedly admitted taking Oxycontin earlier in the day, according to his arrest citation.

Saunders charged Collins with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication controlled substance excludes alcohol.

All four suspects were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Both Collins and Ellison pleaded not guilty to their charges during their arraignments Thursday afternoon in Whitley District Court.

Collins bond was amended from $25,000 cash to a $25,000 surety bond, which is to be signed by his boss, during a court hearing Monday morning. An Oct. 17 preliminary hearing is scheduled in his case.

Prewitt also scheduled an Oct. 17 preliminary hearing Monday morning in Ellison’s case. He remains in jail on a $25,000 cash bond.