A West Virginia man was indicted Thursday on a charge of first-degree trafficking in controlled substances for allegedly attempting to ship “magic mushrooms” from Richmond back to his home state.
Steve M. Cahill, 48, of Princeton, W.Va., could face five to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charge. Cahill is accused of attempting to ship two bags of psilocybin mushrooms to an address in Bluefield, W.Va., from the UPS Store in Richmond on July 20.
The return address on the package was a Princeton, W.Va. address, the same one listed on Cahill’s driver’s license from West Virginia, said Kentucky State Police Detective Dusty Hon, who testified at Cahill’s preliminary hearing in Madison District Court.
Hon said on Sept. 9 that a UPS manager in Lexington contacted police about the package the day after it was shipped.
Hon testified that an employee at the Richmond store had told police the package had a strange odor. The employee said the man who shipped the package claimed it contained candy and cookies, but the box was not the correct size for those items.
A police canine alerted on the box during a “package lineup” police conducted at the UPS shipping facility in Lexington, and the box was found to contain two bags of mushrooms weighing 118 grams each.
When police questioned Cahill about the package, Cahill told Hon, “You’ve got the right man,” but declined to answer other questions before requesting an attorney.
Cahill, who is free on bond, is represented by Richmond attorney Wes Browne.
Forgery indictment
The grand jury returned a forgery indictment against a Richmond woman for allegedly signing another woman’s name to three credit card receipts without permission.
Christina Denny, no age listed, of the 300 block of Brooks Road, faces three counts of second-degree forgery and two misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking charges.
Denny is accused of forging another woman’s name on three credit card receipts on July 29, one at a Redi Mart and two at a Dairy Mart.
The charges totaled $276.17, leading to one of the misdemeanor theft charges. The other charge accuses Denny of taking less than $500 worth of property from another woman.
If convicted, Denny could receive up to five years in prison on each of the forgery charges and up to 12 months in jail on each of the theft charges.
Other indictments
• William Allen, 29, of Nicholasville, and Gregory Strange, 35, of the 1000 block of Merrick Drive, Richmond, on one count each of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
If convicted, each could receive five to 10 years in prison.
• Patrick Luppens, no age or address listed, on one count of flagrant non-support and a second-degree persistent felony offender charge.
If convicted, Luppens could receive up to five years in prison on the non-support charge and five to 10 years for the persistent offender charge.
An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
Local News
Man indicted on ‘magic mushrooms’ charge
- Local News
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
