Three charged in Williamsburg meth bust

So far three people are facing methamphetamine related charges in connection with a Williamsburg Police Department investigation that started Wednesday afternoon, and two more arrests are pending, according to Chief Wayne Bird.

Detective Bobby Freeman charged Jimmy Willard Cox, 62, of Corbin, and Rickey Vanover, 26, and James Earl "Bimbo" Coleman Jr., 44, both of Williamsburg, with manufacture of methamphetamine.

Freeman also charged Coleman with second-degree cruelty to animals and for having a controlled substance prescription not in its original container.

The investigation began shortly before 2 p.m. when Williamsburg police received a complaint from Loss Prevention Officers at Wal-Mart, who stated that a male and female had purchased several items that are used in the making of methamphetamine, Freeman wrote on Cox’s arrest citation.

Police then found all of the items inside a vehicle Cox was riding in, a 2000 green Dodge that was stopped on the northbound on-ramp to I-75 at Exit 11, Freeman wrote.

Inside the vehicle, police found a pack of Energizer batteries, a box of Claritin-D pills, a box of Morton Canning Salt, a bag of coffee filters and a bottle of Drano. All of the items were purchased at Wal-Mart except for the Claritin-D, which was bought at Rite-Aid in Jellico, Freeman wrote.

"Following an investigation, the Williamsburg Police Department obtained a search warrant for a residence in the Canadatown community of Whitley County," Bird wrote on the department’s Facebook page.

Police went to Coleman’s 92 Plum Lane residence with the search warrant. Coleman wasn’t home when police arrived, but he soon drove up to the residence in a 2002 Gray Ford truck belonging to Vanover, according to arrest citations.

Inside the vehicle, police recovered a box of Claritin-D allergy pills, a box of Rite-Aid brand allergy pills, a pack of Energizer batteries and a package of coffee filters, according to arrest citations.

Police also found one pill in Coleman’s sock, which had WATSON 540 on one side that wasn’t in a proper bottle. In addition, police took three dogs that didn’t have food or water, Freeman wrote on Coleman’s arrest citation.

Police also seized Vanover’s truck.

Judge Fred White entered not guilty pleas for all three defendants during their arraignments Thursday in Whitley District Court.

White scheduled Oct. 29 preliminary hearings in all their cases and appointed the public advocate’s office to represent each defendant.

Vanover and Cox are each being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bonds. Coleman’s bond was set at $50,000. If Coleman or Vanover post bond, they will also be required to wear ankle-monitoring devices.

Officers participating in the investigation, included: Freeman, Bird, Officer Jim Pool, Deputy Chief Jason Caddell, Capt. Eddie Cain and K-9 Officer Brandon Prewitt.

"The Williamsburg Police Department would like to thank Kentucky State Police, Goldbug Fire-Rescue, and Whitley County Animal Control for providing assistance at the scene," Bird added.