Motorist assist leads to meth trafficking arrest

A motorist assist last week lead a Whitley County Sheriff’s deputy to arrest two people on drug related charges, including one man for drug trafficking.

Deputy Jonas Saunders charged the driver, Eric M. McKiddy, 32, of Williamsburg, with first-degree trafficking methamphetamine more than two grams, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Saunders charged the passenger, Holly A. Mills, 33, of Flat Lick, with third-degree possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mills was also charged with first-degree promoting contraband after a female deputy jailer found a controlled substance on her, according to a sheriff’s department release.

About 11:30 p.m. on April 17, Saunders was patrolling in the Goldbug community when he saw a man near a black Ford Mustang parked outside of a closed service station. He appeared to be working on the vehicle.

Saunders stopped to offer assistance, according to a sheriff’s department release.

McKiddy refused commands while Saunders attempted to verify that the vehicle met legal requirements for operations and that McKiddy and his passenger were not wanted for arrest.

McKiddy was detained after repeated orders not to reach into his pockets. He admitted to having a needle in his pants pockets, according to the release.

Williamsburg Police Department K-9 Officer Elijah Hunter assisted at the scene and his K-9 partner indicated the presence of unlawful items inside the car, the release stated.

A search revealed a cigarette box containing what’s believed to be approximately five grams of crystal methamphetamine, which is also known as “ice.” It is an extremely pure version of methamphetamine. Also located in the car, including in the passenger seat area, were pills, the release stated.

Both McKiddy and Mills were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center. Both pleaded not guilty during their arraignments Thursday in Whitley District Court.

The two were scheduled for preliminary hearings Monday morning, but those hearings were postponed until May 1 in order to give the public advocate’s office time to find attorneys to represent both suspects.

Because of the delay, Whitley District Judge Fred White agreed to set surety or signature bonds for both defendants that only their mother’s could post.