Tip from W’burg Police chief leads Laurel deputies to suspected meth dealer

A tip on suspected drug activity that was provided by Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird led federal and Laurel County law enforcement to a London home Sunday morning where they recovered one-half pound of crystal methamphetamine and more than $100,000 in cash.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root said law enforcement arrested 32-year-old Dustin Higginbotham on charges of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine – second or greater offense and first-degree wanton endangerment.

Based on the information Bird provided, law enforcement secured a search warrant for the house on Chippewa Lane. Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective James Sizemore along with Bird and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents went to the residence about 2:45 a.m. to serve the warrant.

Law enforcement discovered the methamphetamine in a plastic container in a bedroom.

“The meth was found in the bedroom where his (Higginbotham’s) 8-year-old son was asleep,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, when asked what led to the wanton endangerment child.

The child was placed in the custody of Higginbotham’s parents.

Acciardo added that Higginbotham is currently on home incarceration

Higginbotham was serving a sentence of 90 days on home incarceration stemming from an arrest on April 22 on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance – second offense – methamphetamine, public intoxication – controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Higginbotham had been formally sentenced on May 3 in Laurel District Court to 360 days in jail on the methamphetamine charge, with 270 conditionally discharged. Higginbotham was sentenced to 90 days on home incarceration on the public intoxication and possession of marijuana charges, all of which were to be served concurrently

Higginbotham is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond.

Deputies Shawn Jackson, Shannon Jones and Tommy Houston along with Court Security Officer Brandon McCoy assisted on the investigation.

Root said the investigation is continuing.