Knox Co. Sheriff’s deputy arrests two suspected drug traffickers

A Knox County Sheriff’s deputy arrested two women for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine Sunday night, but first he had to talk one of them into coming out of a store bathroom after she locked herself inside.

Deputy William Stewart, the department’s public affairs officer, said Deputy Andrew Lawson arrested Shawna Y. Moore, 46, of Corbin, and Jenny M. Mills, 44, of Barbourville, at the Crossroads Market in Gray.

Stewart stated that Lawson was initially called to the scene at approximately 7:30 p.m. in response to a complaint of a person passed out inside a vehicle.

When Lawson made contact with the driver, identified as Mills, she stated that she was tired, but was waiting on a passenger, who had gone into the store to use the bathroom.

“Deputy Lawson also located a small plastic bag of suspected methamphetamine inside the vehicle,” Stewart stated adding that Mills was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine and driving on a DUI suspended license.

Stewart said Lawson asked for and received permission to search the vehicle, finding the drugs on the front seat.

Lawson then went inside the store to locate the passenger.

However, the woman, later identified as Moore, had locked herself inside the bathroom. Lawson talked her into unlocking the door and Moore was also charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

Moore and Mills were both lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.

Moore and Mills are each being held on a $5,000 cash bond.

They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Knox District Court.