Gray man one of five people arrested on drug trafficking warrants

A Gray man was one of five people Knox County Sheriff’s deputies arrested last Wednesday on indictment and arrest warrants stemming from an investigation into drug trafficking.

James E. “Snowman” Martin, 74, was arrested on an indictment warrant charging him with first-degree trafficking a controlled substance.

Deputy William Stewart, the department’s public affairs officer, stated that the warrants were issued as a result of undercover drug investigations.

Deputies were assisted in the investigation by Operation UNITE.

Other individuals arrested and the charges they face include:

• Andrew S. Cox, 29, of Cannon, who was served with two indictment warrants charging him with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine, persistent felony offender, third-degree assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, menacing and resisting arrest.
• Earnie Hammons, 53, of Flat Lick, who was served with an indictment warrant charging him with three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and controlled substance prescription not in proper container.
• Bill R. Perkins, 54, of Barbourville, who was served with an indictment warrant charging him with three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
• Chester Witt, 22 of Barbourville, who was served with an arrest warrant for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

Stewart said additional arrests are forth coming.