Truman Prewitt named new Whitley County road supervisor

Whitley County has replaced its county road supervisor, who was arrested earlier this year for allegedly selling drugs at the county garage.

Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White Jr. announced Monday that Truman Prewitt had been hired as the new Whitley County Road Department Supervisor.

Prewitt, 55, had been the maintenance supervisor for the City of Williamsburg for the last 24.5 years.

"We had over 60 applications for this position," White said. "It was a tough decision, but I felt that Truman was the best choice. I have every confidence that he will do a superb job as Road Department Supervisor.

"We will be looking at enrolling Mr. Prewitt in the Road Master/Road Scholar program to formally educate him in his job duties; however, his many years of diverse experience should lead to a smooth transition into the position and a promising future for the Whitley County Road Department."

Prewitt’s first day on the job will be April 12.

He replaces Jerry Davis, who was arrested by Kentucky State Police on Jan. 22 for intimidating a participant in a legal process, trafficking in marijuana over eight ounces but less than five pounds, and for trafficking in marijuana less than eight ounces.

On the day he was arrested, Davis was placed on "administrative suspension without pay" pending the outcome of his case.

White said late Monday afternoon that the paper had not been processed yet to terminate Davis’ employment.

"There doesn’t appear to be any set of circumstances where Jerry can come back to work," White said.

Kentucky State Police Detective David Lassiter, the investigating officer in the case, said that on Dec. 2, Davis sold one-quarter pound of marijuana to an undercover officer, and on Dec. 8, he sold half a pound of marijuana to an undercover officer.

Both drugs buys were allegedly made at the county garage, which is located at Goldbug near Exit 15.

On Jan. 19, police approached Davis and informed him that he would be facing trafficking charges, according to a warrant.

"During the conversation with police, Davis indicated that he knew the identity of the confidential informant. Davis was instructed by police not to have direct or indirect contact with the confidential informant," according to the warrant.

Lassiter said that it wouldn’t have been difficult for Davis to figure out, who the confidential informant was based upon information in the arrest warrant.

On Jan. 21, Davis allegedly sent a family member to the confidential informant’s residence, and the informant told police that in the past this Davis family member had produced a weapon and threatened to shoot him, according to the warrant, which doesn’t indicate who the family member was.

Davis criminal cases had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 24 in Whitley District Court, but the hearings were continued by the agreement of all parties until May 26, according to court records.