Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Trafficking Charges

According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron a traffic stop for a speeding violation resulted in a Monticello man being arrested for drug trafficking and other charges.

On August 18, 2023, at approximately 7:26 pm while running moving radar on Old Kentucky Highway 90 Deputies Derek Dennis and James Barnett clocked a passenger car traveling over the posted speed limit.

Deputies Dennis and Barnett conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle to address the speeding violation. After making contact with the male driver the Deputies learned that he was operating without an operator’s license and had two active warrants for his arrest. While the driver was trying to find his proof of insurance Deputy Dennis deployed Deputy K-9 Unit Dunya for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. Deputy K-9 Dunya alerted positive in the rear area of the vehicle for narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in a plastic baggie containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe commonly used with illegal narcotic use being found and seized.

Deputy Dennis charged and arrested Jason Green of Monticello, Ky. for trafficking in a controlled substance-1st degree (greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, no operator’s license and speeding-20 miles per hour over limit. Green was also arrested on a Wayne County Circuit Court Indictment Warrant of Arrest for possession of a controlled substance-1st degree (methamphetamine) and a Pulaski County District Court Warrant of Arrest for failure to pay fines and costs on the underlying charges of no operator’s license, failure of owner to maintain required insurance and a traffic violation.

While processing paperwork at the Sheriff Office the crystal substance tested positive as being methamphetamine using the Sheriff’s Office Tru-Narc Narcotic Analysis Equipment with a total weight of 11.3 grams.

Green was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.

The Wayne County Sheriff Office also made the following arrest.

On August 18, 2023, at approximately 11:05 pm Deputy James Barnett observed a vehicle leaving a liquor store and making traffic violations. Deputy Barnett then initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle after it made a turn onto Walnut Street. After approaching the vehicle Deputy Barnett observed the male driver as having glossy eyes with an odor of alcohol coming from his person. The driver consented to allow Deputy Barnett to conduct field sobriety test on him. After testing the driver Deputy Barnett charged and arrested Michael Cooper of Monticello, Ky. for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and for the traffic violations.

Jonathan Brown of Monticello, Ky. was arrested on a Wayne County Circuit Court Indictment Warrant of Arrest for fleeing or evading Police-2nd degree (on foot), assault-3rd degree (on Police Officer), resisting arrest and disorderly conduct-2nd degree.

Dylan D. Coomer of Monticello, Ky. was arrested on a Wayne County District Court Complaint Warrant of Arrest for assault-4th degree and indecent exposure-2nd degree.

Brown and Coomer were lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.