Williamsburg police seize meth, fentanyl while executing search warrant

Police seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cash while executing a search warrant at the residence of a Williamsburg man last week, who was already on federal parole for a prior conspiracy drug trafficking case, according to a Williamsburg Police Department release.

The search warrant was executed at the 2123 US25W North residence of Roy West, and Whitley District Judge Fred White ruled Monday that there was sufficient probable cause to forward a pair of cases against West to the Whitley County Grand Jury.

White ordered West to report to Whitley Circuit Court on Feb. 20 to see whether he has been indicted in connection with those cases.

As of early Tuesday afternoon, West remained incarcerated in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a $25,000 cash bond.

On Jan. 26, which is the date police executed the search warrant at West’s residence, they also served him with an arrest warrant in connection with a prior Williamsburg Police Department investigation. He was charged with two counts of second-offense first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Between Aug. 14, 2022, and Jan. 26, 2023, West allegedly distributed/sold methamphetamine to a Williamsburg Police Department confidential informant on at least two occasions, Williamsburg Police Officer Dorman Patrick Jr. wrote in the warrant.

“West’s criminal record reflects he has previously been convicted of felony drug trafficking at least twice and prior to the start of the investigation,” Patrick wrote in the warrant.

When police executed the search warrant at West’s residence on Jan. 26, they confiscated one baggie with suspected methamphetamine, two round pill tablets marked with M 30-fentanyl, one digital scale, containers that had suspected drug residue, a large amount of plastic “distribution baggies,” $620 cash, West’s personal cellphone and a black money safe, according to his arrest citation.

West was charged with two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl and methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also, while executing the search warrant, Williamsburg police found Johnny Leon Bryant, 49, inside the residence.

Police found a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine inside it inside a room where Bryant was found in addition to a small piece of cooper that appeared to be some kind of drug snorting device, Patrick wrote on his arrest citation.

Bryant is currently out on bond with the conditions that he not use alcohol or drugs, that he have no new arrests or violations of the law, and that he not use/possess a firearm or other weapon, according to the arrest citation.

Patrick arrested Bryant and charged him with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and violation of conditions of release.

Patrick testified during preliminary hearings Monday for both West and Bryant.

After Bryant’s preliminary hearing, White found there was probable cause to forward his case to the grand jury too, and ordered him to report to Whitley Circuit Court on Feb. 20 to find out whether he has been indicted.

Bryant’s bond was set at $10,000 cash. As of early Tuesday afternoon, Bryant remained incarcerated in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Patrick investigated the case along with federal probation and parole officers, and agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)’s London office.

Others assisting with the investigation include: Williamsburg Police Officers Chad Foley, Eddie Cain, Greg Rhoades and Bryson Lawson, K-9 Sgt. Elijah Hunter, K-9 Officer Johnny Fulton, along with members of the Kentucky State Police and Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.