Five people charged with trafficking in prescription drugs and cocaine following a drug bust Nov. 13 that ended with a Kentucky State Police officer being struck twice by a van and a suspect being shot had their cases sent to the grand jury Wednesday in Madison District Court.
Judge Brandy Brown sent the cases of Mikeith Wilson, Shamika Flood, Lavaghen King, Franklin Flood and Tenika Pettigrew on to the grand jury after testimony from a pair of state police detectives.
Detective Brandon Curless testified he organized the undercover drug buy Nov. 13 at 186 Kilarney Drive where a cooperating witness purchased several OxyContin pills. State police obtained a warrant to search the apartment, where they later found a number of pills, as well as plastic bags containing a white powder believed to be cocaine, marijuana, more than $5,000 in cash and a pistol.
Before police searched the apartment, Wilson, King, Shamika Flood and a juvenile left in a green van, which police attempted to stop at a Shell gas station nearby.
During the stop, Wilson struck state police Detective Jasper White twice with the van, Detective Dwight Slone testified. White suffered a broken kneecap in the collision after he was launched over the hood of the van, landing on the ground next to the passenger side of the vehicle. White shot at the front tire of the van repeatedly in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
Slone said a second detective, Rodney Tudor of the Richmond Police Department, was attempting to stop the vehicle by yelling through an open door on the driver’s side of the vehicle when it struck White. Slone said Tudor then drew his gun and began firing at Wilson in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
“He started firing after Detective White disappeared from his vision,” Slone said.
Wilson was struck in the buttocks by one of the shots and was later treated and released from the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
The van was stopped almost a mile away and the occupants were arrested as they attempted to enter a locked building, Slone said.
While searching the apartment, Curless testified that officers found nearly $3,000 in cash in Pettigrew’s pocket, including $500 in marked bills used during the drug buy. An additional $2,000 was found in Franklin Flood’s possession, Curless said.
A white powder police believed to be cocaine was found under a mattress in a bedroom in the apartment, and officers found a pistol reportedly belonging to Shamika Flood and some marijuana in the other bedroom where Pettigrew and Franklin Flood were sitting, Curless said.
Wilson faces attempted murder, fleeing and evading police and wanton endangerment charges in addition to the trafficking charge. Franklin Flood also was charged with promoting contraband, tampering with physical evidence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after marijuana was found in his possession during a search at the Madison County Detention Center.
Pettigrew faces additional charges of possession of marijuana and cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
King’s attorney, Adele Brown, asked Judge Brown to dismiss the charge against her client, citing the lack of specific evidence implicating King in the sale. The judge denied the motion, and additionally denied requests for bond modifications for both King and Shamika Flood.
Charges are expected to be brought against two men involved in the drug buy, Curless testified, but Judge Brown overruled requests from defense attorneys to have those men identified during the hearing.
Local News
Grand jury to hear drug trafficking case
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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