Three arrested at Landmark Inn

Corbin Police arrested three people Saturday night in connection with suspected drug activity at a local motel.
Officers arrested 35-year-old Sarah Cox on multiple drug possession charges, 26-year-old Marti Payne on drug trafficking and possession charges, and 40-year-old William Siler for possession of drug paraphernalia following a short foot pursuit at the Landmark Inn on Falls Highway.

According to Officer Brad Prewitt, officers were called to the motel about 9:20 p.m. in response to reports of a large number of people visiting one particular room.

When officers arrived, Prewitt stated that they saw two women and a man, later identified as Cox, Payne and Siler, run out of the room in question.

When Officer Steve Meadors ordered the trio to stop, they reportedly ignored him.

Meadors quickly stopped them at the stair well.

Prewitt reported finding two ladies’ handbags near where the trio was stopped.

Cox and Payne denied ownership of the bags.

Police reported finding a baggie containing 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a large quantity of small plastic baggies, digital scales, and $370 in cash in one purse.

In the second, police located a baggie containing 2.75 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a single buprenorphine pill, two Diazepam pills, two Alprazolam pills and a glass smoking pipe.

“Cox denied ownership of the bag even though a pocketbook containing her identification was located inside the bag,” Prewitt stated in the arrest citation.

Upon searching Siler, officers reported finding a glass pipe in the front pocket of his pants.

Cox was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, second-degree possession of a controlled substance, third-degree possession of a controlled substance and second-degree fleeing or evading police.

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

Payne was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine, first-degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree fleeing or evading police.

Payne’s bond is also set at $25,000 cash.
At their arraignment hearings Tuesday in Whitley District Court, Cox and Payne pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. They are scheduled to return to court March 22 for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to present the case to the grand jury.

Siler was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree fleeing or evading police.

Siler pleaded guilty to the charges Tuesday. Judge Fred White sentenced Siler to 90 days in jail, conditionally discharged provided he have no further legal violations within the next two years on the drug paraphernalia charge.

White sentenced Siler to 12 months in jail, again conditionally discharged provided he have no further legal violations within the next two years on the fleeing or evading charge.

In addition, White ordered Siler to attend two Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week and ordered that he return to court on June 14 to review his progress.