WORMSCAN: LOCLAXN [PART 1]

Local action in the Drug War. Local = Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky, USA.

NOTES: I made a few corrections to spellings but left the original document mainly untouched. All dates are in YYMMDD format. These files are only a portion of the entire LOCLAXN file. I had to break it up due to length. There are hundreds of pages in these files.

LOCLAXN
By David P Beiter
[REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION]

LOCLAXN.TXT = Local action

(c) Copyright 1981, 1997 by , proliferate freely.

Local is Ritner, Wayne County, Kentucky, USA, unless otherwise specified. The bigger the action the farther away it can be and still be local.

This list was compiled by David P Beiter, [REDACTED ADDRESS]

This file was last updated on 28 Feb 1997.

810000, Marion County, KY, Al Cross, reporter for The Courier-Journal, personal communication. Officials in the Kentucky state government became suspicious of cash excesses in banks in Marion County, KY. An investigation led to the purchase of the Bank [of Lebanon? (Marion County Seat)] by a cabinet official [The Kentucky State Secretary of Commerce?] Needless to say, no evidence of marijuana cultivation or other illicit activities was uncovered.

820000?, Hart County, Kentucky, Bowling Green, KY, Newspaper clipping, Hart Co? Jane Paquin, neighbor to a growing location, personal communication. "Thirteen arraigned in marijuana case" in Bowling Green, KY, after raids on Hart County, KY, marijuana fields on 26 July. Donnie Nunn, former Hart County, KY, Sheriff, Joe Dunagan, and Tm Chaney, all of Horse Cave; Hulen Russell, Charles Richardson, Jr, and Gary Coffee, all of Hardyville; James Stanon [Stanton?], of Munfordville; James Benningfield of Magnolia; Freeman Swartz of Summerville; and Randall Skaggs, Neal Lnu, James K. Mattingly, and James N. Mattingly, of Lebanon. Also Nunn, Stanton, and Russell were indicted on charges of attempting to bribe two state police, Ron West and Robert Sheldon, and Hart County Sheriff Daymond Humphrey. 22,500 marijuana plants in five locations in Hart Co confiscated on 26 July and 8,000 on 29 July at another Hart Co site. This was the biggest marijuana raid in Kentucky history, valued at over $12 million. Incidentally, Sheriff Nunn is the nephew of former Governor Louis B Nunn.

850912, Knoxville, TN, multiple news reports. Andrew Thorton III, retired Lexington, Kentucky, Police Department Narcotics Officer, crash landed via parachute in suburban Knoxville TN with 79 pounds of cocaine. Several other duffel bags of cocaine were found in the Chattahoochee National Forest, totaling approximately 400 pounds. See 870112, 871123, 890225, 900820, 930409, Sally Denton, The Bluegrass Conspiracy, Doubleday, 1990.

860220, Wayne Co, KY, multiple rumors. Rumors abound that the FBI had caught Joe Conn, former Wayne County, KY, Sheriff; Ralph Miniard, Monticello, KY, Chief of Police; and Don Richardson, local gas station operator. They are alleged to have been caught loading marijuana into an airplane owned by Nick Cooley, a local coal tycoon. This rumor sounded fresh, but there is also a rumor of letting Joe Conn serve out his term as Sheriff, which would put it as last year. Present Sheriff Jim Hill would neither confirm nor deny, but eventually admitted that he had heard the rumor. He was not happy about my questioning. My impression was that he was covering for his compatriots, and didn't like it.

860306, Whitley City, KY, multiple reports. In Whitley City, KY, in the biggest methamphetamine [speed] bust in DEA history, Butch Spencer was arrested for the manufacture of illegal drugs.

860319, Monticello, KY, personal communication with Wayne county Outlook. Brenda Sexton at The Wayne County Outlook says that they tried three times to check out the Joe Conn rumor at Federal Court in London, KY, but all were negative. She did not know the source of the rumors. [It may have been the local radio station.] Jim Hill, present Wayne County Sheriff, seemed very agitated when I questioned him, did not want to talk and ran out of his office. On 860809 Donald Jones says that Conn, Miniard, and Richardson were caught off-loading in northern Kentucky. Carl Jones says that were caught on-loading at Somerset airport. Other sources have said that Joe Conn was caught transporting marijuana three times, locally (McCreary County), northern Kentucky, and in Georgia.

860324, Morgan Co, KY, multiple reports. Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, is arrested for extorting a one million dollar bribe from a cocaine smuggler (also an FBI agent). This was for airport landing rights in Morgan Co, KY. Several other officials were arrested for assorted corruption: former Morgan County, Kentucky, Judge-Executive Gene Allen; Allen's son Steve; Morgan County, Kentucky, Sheriff Roger Benton; Coal Baron Titus Frederick; former Kentucky District Judge James H Noble; former State Senator and former State Trooper Lester Burns, Jr; and physician, Dr Bill Davis. ref: "Operation Leviticus" of the FBI. They weren't even looking for drug trafficking! The FBI thought they were looking at coal money!!

860330, Whitley Co, KY, multiple reports. The Whitley County Kentucky Sheriff, one other KY & 3 TN Sheriffs are arrested for drug trafficking.

860619, Marion Co, KY, WLEX, CNN. Kentucky State Police Detective, 19 year veteran of The Force, Joseph Greenwall (Greenwald), age 41, of Loretto, Marion Co KY is arrested for extorting $5000 to protect marijuana growers, after a two month investigation. Arraignment is set for 27 June.

860704, Marion Co, KY, multiple newscasts. 13,000 marijuana plants on 7 acres, and 46,000 marijuana plants on 30 acres, are found in corn fields in Marion County, KY, by DEA chopper. Presumably these were the growers protected by Joseph Greenwald, Kentucky State Police, retired.

860704, Clinton Co, KY, WFLW. Also 270 marijuana plants are found in Clinton County, averaging 4 feet tall, and valued at $600 each by Kentucky State Police at Columbia.

860716, Burnside, KY. In a squabble amongst Leviticus arrestees, Williams (of Detroit?) sues Lester Burns, Jr & Dr Davis alleging that he was bilked out of an annuity.

860800, TN, Sinsemilla Tips, v6#2. East Tennessee Sheriffs' report. Scott County, Tennessee, Sheriff Marion Carson & deputy Wayne Caldwell are charged by a Federal Grand jury with conspiracy & selling methaqualone, marijuana, cocaine & diazapam. Claiborne County, Tennessee, Sheriff Billy Wayne Smith & Juvenile Court Referee R. Jackson Rose pleaded guilty to conspiring to take payoffs to protect gambling operations. Since 82, The Sheriff of Cocke Co, TN, Bobby Stinson; The Sheriff of Roane Co, TN, Gillis Narramore; The Sheriff of Union Co, TN, Paul Hill; and The Sheriff of Anderson Co, TN, Dennis O Trotter also have been arrested for drug trafficking.

860804, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 7 Aug 86, p14. At Green Ford, 225 marijuana plants were found. At Griffin, 82 plants were found. It looks like they grew in the shade.

860806, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 14 Aug 86, p1. At Tuggle Hollow, Wayne Co, KY, 400 marijuana plants were found, making a total of 760.

860812, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 14 Aug 86, p1. Near Mt Pisgah, Wayne Co, KY, a Tennessee State Police helicopter found a field of 98 marijuana plants. They look pretty good in the picture. See 860821. There has been a total so far this year of 11 marijuana arrests by the Wayne County Sheriff this growing season. The State has set the value at $800 per plant this year, down from $1200 last year.

860819, near Bowling Green, Warren Co, KY, The Courier Journal, 21 Aug 86, pB4 Thomas Neal Cox, 36, & Walter Hale, 76, both of Bowling Green, were arrested with 18 marijuana plants & two booby traps.

860820, Delta, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 28 Aug 86, p2. 110 marijuana plants were found near Delta, KY. In Dry Valley, 20 marijuana plants were found on the property of David Kramer. Two pounds of processed marijuana were found in the home of Charles Odquist. At the home of Paul Odquist, the sheriff found 8 oz of processed marijuana & 1 plant. At the home of Joe Reheis, the sheriff found 1 pound, 8 ounces of processed marijuana & 159 marijuana plants in nearby open field.

860821?, Wayne Co, KY. Jackie Slagel was arrested when 106 marijuana plants were found at Mt Pisgah.

860821, Huntington, WV & Morgan Co, KY, The Courier Journal, 21 Aug 86, p1. Bobby Litteral, cocaine kingpin, & son Danny Litteral of West Liberty, Morgan Co, KY pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking by the kilo. He also pleaded guilty to marijuana trafficking (110 lbs).

860828, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 4 Sep 86, p2. At Sumpter, Wayne Co, KY, 1316 marijuana plants were confiscated by the sheriff. They look pretty spindly in the picture. Also 416 plants were found in Parnell & Susie on 29 Aug.

860904, Preacherville, Lincoln Co, KY, multiple newscasts. In Lincoln Co, KY on the Homer Days farm, at Preacherville, 4 mi E of Stanford [otherwise given as SE section of county]. 260,000 marijuana plants were found in 15 to 20 acres of corn. 2 campsites were also found. The haul was valued at $250,000,000. Another 50 to 100 thousand plants were found on the same farm. Plus a third field? The final total was 384,000 plants. Note that by 920806, the haul had dwindled to only 347,000 according to a KNN story.

860910 Campbellsville, Taylor Co, KY, KET\WLEX. In Taylor Co, KY, 7 mi East of Campbellsville, 300,000 marijuana plants were found in one patch plus a campsite.

860911, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 11 Sep 86, p2. In Wayne Co, KY, the weekly marijuana harvest is 579 plants in a wooded area of Chestnut Grove, found on 5 Sep. Lindsey McGinnis, 30, of Powersburg was arrested with a search warrant. Two grass sacks full and a grocery bag full of marijuana, plus three bread bags full of seed, plus 50 unstripped plants were found on 5 Sep. A total of 164 marijuana plants in two patches in Susie & Greenbrier were found on 7 Sep. 105 marijuana plants four to five feet tall were found in Dry Hollow on 9 Sep.

860918, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, p2. On 15 Sep, at Gap Creek, Kathy Randolph was arrested with a search warrant. An unspecified quantity of marijuana was confiscated. On 16 Sep, in the Gap Creek-Poplar Mountain area, 108 marijuana plants were confiscated.

860919, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW, The Wayne County Outlook, 25 Sep 86, p2. 184 marijuana plants were found in the Dry Hollow- Slickford area.

860922, New Albany, IN, KET\WLKY. James Evans, 36, reputed marijuana & cocaine wholesaler was returned from Mexico & California. His property was bulldozed trying to find drugs, to no avail.

860925, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, p1. In Wayne County, KY, 17 persons have been arrested on marijuana charges this growing season. "'I'd venture to say that we have seized 25 to 30 patches and up towards 10000 plants', said [Sheriff] Hill." How interesting that no exact accounting is kept! The biggest find was in Sumpter, with 1316 plants.

860914, Albany, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 25 Sep 86, from Clinton County News. The Clinton County Court Clerk Lloyd Stockton, & James Stonecipher of Albany (landowner of site) are charged with marijuana production. The weed was grown in a tobacco patch in far eastern Cumberland County. 634 marijuana plants (2 pickup loads) and 350 to 400 stumps were found. The field was guarded by two men in a pickup. Two pickup trucks were seized.

860919?, near Albany, Clinton Co, KY, The Clinton County News/The Wayne County Outlook p2. 289 well cultivated marijuana plants were found when a thief was apprehended by and shot a guard.

860928, KY, WBKY. Kentucky is 4th in national marijuana production, with the 85 crop valued at 850 megabux. NORML, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

860928, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook p2. Wayne County crime magnate Joe Bill Prince was cut on the left arm at Twyford Point Rd. He was quickly found by his brother. Presumably a drug deal gone sour.

861000, Whitley City McCreary Co, KY, WSEK. No trial date yet set for Butch Spencer, whose methamphetamine lab was busted about March 86. Police are still searching for Roy Blakeney of Florida.

861007, Pikeville, KY, The Courier-Journal, p1. Not a drug story, probably. Pike County, Kentucky, Sheriff Charles "Fuzzy" Keesee "misplaced" $300,000 in tax collections during his previous administration.

861007, Louisville, KY, The Courier-Journal, pB4. The Jefferson County, Commissioner, Carl Brown, is charged with distribution of marijuana and cocaine.

861011?, Whitley County, KY, The Wayne County Outlook p22, from The Whitley Republican. Larry R Patrick of Williamsburg is convicted on conspiracy to import cocaine. He was found guilty of scheming with former Scott Co, TN, Sheriff Marion Carson & Deputy Wayne Caldwell.

861018, KY, The Courier-Journal, pB1. Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell & Kentucky State Trooper Gerald Griggs were arrested for cocaine trafficking.

861021, Elizabethtown, Hardin Co, KY. Near Elizabethtown & Grayson Co, KY, 3500 marijuana plants and 200 pounds of processed weed were found by police. Two people from Loretto, Marion Co were arrested, (one a Jones?). Some of Joseph Greenwald's friends? (This may be the same as 4 acres in Hardin Co "worth" 7M$ found by "deer hunters", grown by folks from Loretto. 32 News)

861025, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM, The Wayne County Outlook, 30 Oct 86, p2. Near Parmleysville, Wayne Co, KY, 13 marijuana plants were found by the sheriff.

861030, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Near Mt Pisgah, Wayne Co, KY, 45 marijuana plants were confiscated from a corn field by sheriff's deputies Davis, Koontz, & Monticello police chief Miniard.

861030, Albany, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, p18, from The Clinton County News. Clinton County Court Clerk Lloyd Stockton, 39, and James Stonecipher, 39, pleaded not guilty to charges of cultivating marijuana. See 860914.

861031, Lee County, KY, WBKY. H. Bowling from Owsley County and two Ohio motorcycle gang members were kidnapped & robbed by Stanley Terry & two others during an abortive marijuana buy. WBKY, 11:30PM

861107, near Versailles, Woodford County, KY, KNN, 12N; KET (Lexington). Ten men, one from Louisville, and nine from Marion County were arrested near Versailles, Woodford County, KY. Others escaped. This was on the Jimmy Jack Lewis farm, a major marijuana processing facility. It required 6 dump trucks to remove the marijuana, approximately 4000 pounds. Marion County again.

861103, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 6 Nov 86, p2. Near Gap of the Ridge, Wayne Co, KY, 177 marijuana plants were confiscated on Jim Morrow Ridge. No arrests were made.

861109, KY, WBKY. In Kentucky 725 (1000?) plots of marijuana totaling 3 Tons, have been found by police this year in the Daniel Boone National Forest. 11PM, WBKY

861113, London, KY, Lexington Herald-Leader, Nov 13, 86, pA1, A16. "Corruption probe: Half of cases resolved" by Assistant US Attorney James E Arehart. Gene Allen, 3 time Judge-Executive of Morgan County, Kentucky, was convicted of conspiracy to murder. Gerald Griggs, Kentucky State Police Trooper, was convicted in the same murder for hire scheme. Both were represented by Kevin Charters of Lexington, KY. William Titus Frederick, coal operator and businessman, of West Liberty, KY, pleaded guilty to manufacturing marijuana. Benny Neely, London, KY, pleaded guilty to transporting stolen heavy equipment across state lines. Norman B Williams III, of Detroit, MI, pleaded guilty to transporting a stolen car across state lines. Dr Billy Davis, Urgent Care Center of Burnside, KY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud two insurance companies of $1.1 million for a phony traffic accident. Lester H Burns, Jr, former Kentucky State Senator[, former Kentucky State Trooper] & attorney, Somerset, KY, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen money ($1.9 million stolen from the Dr R J Acker robbery & murder) across state lines. James H Noble, former Kentucky District Judge, convicted of obstruction of justice and yet to be tried in the insurance fraud conspiracy. Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, to be tried on Jan 5, 87, for extortion for allegedly taking money for protecting drug-trafficking activities. Roger Benton, Morgan County, Kentucky, Sheriff, accused of conspiracy of drug-trafficking.

861113, Knoxville, TN, Knoxville TV. 9 cops arrested in the Charles Walker cocaine trafficking ring.

861117, Louisville, KY, WBKY. In Louisville KY, 54 warrants were issued by the DEA.

861118, WBKY, 4AM. Noble in the news again. Guilty plea??

861119, New Brighton, Minnesota, WSFC, 11:05 AM. David E Meyer (28), a witness for the prosecution in the Butch Spencer methamphetamine manufacturing case, was shot and killed. The Butch Spencer trial was set for 15 Dec.

861119, Lexington, KY, KET, Lexington. Ten men from Marion and Jefferson counties had a hearing for the manufacture of over 1000 pounds of marijuana. See 861107.

861126, Somerset, KY, personal communication, Dallas Hammond. The younger brother of David Dick, Kentucky State Police Trooper, was arrested last month for cultivating 78 marijuana plants. The police missed a quarter acre plot. James Dick, older brother, was recently arrested on drug charges. Trooper Dick was finally apprehended 901104, see 901108.

861100, Whitley City, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 861126, p 18; from The Commonwealth Journal. William C "Buddy" Wolk, 56, of Naples, FL, died of a barbiturate overdose in an accidental spill at Herbert W "Butch" Spencer's drug lab. Formerly it was believed that he had died of a heart attack. Rumors have it that he was dragged behind a pickup truck (Dallas Hammond, personal communication) altho Alberta Spencer reportedly contacted the coroner. The DEA raid of 860306 was the largest in its history. In Minneapolis, MN, indictments in a major drug and bookmaking ring were opened in August 86: William C "Buddy" Wolk, unindicted co-conspirator; Mary Louise Wolk, former wife; John Joseph Mussehl, St Paul, MN; Gary Evans Lundgren, Naples, FL; Allan Richard Blake[ney], Naples, FL; Charles Lee Miller, Omaha, NB; James Thomas Mussehl, St Paul, MN; Raymond Edward Gaier, FL & MN, unindicted co-conspirator, deceased of drug overdose in 84.

861216, Whitley City, KY, KET. The Butch Spencer drug lab is said to have had $1 million in drugs and $40 million in chemicals at the time of the bust.

861200, London, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 861224, p19. From The Sentinel-Echo. Sherry Lorraine Hodge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen money across state lines in $1,900,000 (that's 1.9 megabux) Acker robbery & murder. Hodge says that she gave $300,000 to C Gene Foust, 49, Detective Sergeant and Head Narcotics Officer and 21-year veteran of the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Police Department. The Head Narcotics Officer was to invest it "to make more money for me." Mrs Hodge's attorney is Robert Wilmott of Lexington, KY. Formerly her attorney was Lester Burns, Jr, former Kentucky State Senator, former Kentucky State Police, of Somerset, KY, who pleaded guilty to receiving stolen money and is now disbarred. The Judge is Eugene Siler, Jr. Co-transporters of stolen money are Anna Louise Farley (mother of Donald Terry Bartley), Sharon Joyce Wilson, & Barry Wilson, with whom she transported $1,200,000 from Florida to Knoxville, TN, after the arrest of her husband, Benny Lee Hodge. Donald Terry Bartley, Roger Dale Epperson, and Benny Lee Hodge are to be tried May 1987 for robbery & murder of a Jackson County, KY, couple, and also face unspecified charges in other unspecified states. The FBI searched the home of Head Narcotics Officer and Investment Advisor to the stars, C Gene Foust on 861202.

861212, London, KY, KET, WLEX. Gene Allen, Judge-Executive of Morgan County, Kentucky is sentenced to 5 years for conspiracy to murder. Gerald Griggs, Kentucky State Police, had his sentencing delayed. Titus Frederick, coal baron, was let off in return for testifying against Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, in his trial for conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs.

861224, Louisville, KY, KET. Two Californians were arrested after selling 8 pounds of cocaine to undercover cops for $250,000 in 100's. This was purported to be worth $500,000 on the street. That's $138/gm.

861229. London, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 870108, p14; from The McCreary County Record. The Government rested its case against Herbert "Butch" Spencer, represented by Julius Echeles of Chicago and Warren Scoville of London, KY. The Judge is Eugene Siler, Jr. Jane Graham, Assistant US Attorney, is prosecutor. Spencer claimed that he had leased a walled off section of his garage to Roy Creighton Blakeney and William Charles "Buddy" Wolk, but there was no agreement to manufacture methamphetamine. A small amount of methamphetamine and a walkie-talkie tuned to a unit in the lab were found in Spencer's house. Unfortunately, they were found in an area not covered by the search warrant. Even more unfortunately, this was before The Supreme Court had declared that a search warrant is unnecessary for police acting in "good faith".

861230?, London, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, Jan 15, 1987, p18; from The Commonwealth- Journal. Herbert "Butch" Spencer was found guilty after 57 minutes of deliberation. Another federal drug trial for Spencer is scheduled for 27 Jan as well as two civil proceedings. On 861219 Spencer was propositioned to intimidate a juror for $20,000 (5K$ down & 15K$ later) by Billy Rollin Phillips (46), of Clay County. Spencer met with Judge Siler, prosecutor Jane Graham, and DEA agent James Malone. Phillips was arrested 30 Dec.

861231, Somerset, KY. Lester Burns, Jr is ordered to return $175,000 to Dr Roscoe Acker. This was his attorney's fee for the defense of the murderers/robbers.

870105, London, KY. In the Butch Spencer trial, Government witnesses claim that Spencer bought 50 pounds of cocaine in 1980 and hundreds of pounds of marijuana from 80 to 83. And then they waited for 3 years to bust him for crank?!

870108, London, KY. Butch Spencer is convicted in methamphetamine production case. The methamphetamine confiscated was valued at 1 megabuck and there was another 40 megabux worth of chemicals. Spencer is to be sentenced on 9 Feb. Max sentence = (15 years + 125 kilobux)*4. The Judge is Eugene Siler, Jr. Spencer's claim of leasing his garage for a plastics operation was not believed.

870109, Louisville, KY, KET\WLKY. Walker, a Jamaican, was sentenced to 20 years for wholesale importation of marijuana; 18 plane loads. One lot which came into Louisville was valued at 200 kilobux, and was transshipped to New York, where it was valued at 1.2 megabux. An associate was sentenced to 5 years.

870112, Lexington, KY, KET\WLEX. Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, and Roger Benton, Morgan County, Kentucky, Sheriff, are on trial. Houston McNeal, two years a undercover FBI agent, testified that he had made payments of $5000 a month to Campbell, Benton, and Titus Frederick for landing rights at the West Liberty, KY, airport. (It is unclear if this was each or total.)

870113, Lexington, KY, WBKY (Lexington, KY). In the Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner trial, Campbell is represented by William Johnson. The Trial apparently started 9 Jan 87. Houston McNeal, two years an undercover FBI agent from Virginia, testified that he had made installment payments to Roger Benton, Morgan County Kentucky Sheriff; Gene Allen, Morgan County Kentucky Judge-Executive; and Marion Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, for assistance in drug trafficking. McNeal said that he met Campbell on a dark back road, where Campbell thanked him for the money. A tape recording of Campbell taking payoffs from McNeal was played.

870114, Lexington, KY, WBKY, KET, WLKY(?). In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell trial, Titus Frederick, coal baron and marijuana manufacturer testified that in a meeting at Frederick's house in 1984, three-time Morgan County Kentucky Judge-Executive Gene Allen and Marion Campbell had asked him for contacts in the marijuana and cocaine business. Lester Burns, Jr, former Kentucky State Senator, former Kentucky State Police Trooper, former attorney (now disbarred) bankrolled the operation, and Marion Campbell was in charge of security at the Morgan County airport. Their business grossed about 3/4 of a million dollars a week in cocaine. Houston McNeal, undercover Virginia FBI investigator, testified that Campbell said that he was receiving payments from undercover agents. It is unclear whether Campbell thought that they were FBI agents or drug dealers. Or both.

870115, Lexington, KY, WEKU, KET\WLEX In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell trial, Steve Allen, son of the Morgan County Judge-Executive, testified that he saw a $90,000 cocaine sale in November 85 at the house of his father, Morgan County, Kentucky, Judge-Executive Gene Allen. In this transaction, Gene Allen was paid his share plus a share to pass along to Marion Campbell. Gene Allen, Morgan County, Kentucky, Judge-Executive and convicted murder conspirator, testified that he has known Marion Campbell for 25 years and Morgan County Sheriff Roger Benton all of his life. He met several times in late 1983 with Marion Campbell, Titus Frederick, and Lester Burns, Jr to import cocaine from Okalachee, FL. Campbell was said to want the money for his retirement fund. Titus Frederick testified that Gene Allen and Marion Campbell had pushed him to find a cocaine connection.

870116, Lexington, KY, KET\WLKY, 10:07PM. In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell trial, Gene Allen, former Morgan County, Kentucky Judge-Executive who has been convicted of conspiracy to murder, was cross examined. He has changed his story because he got religion in jail. In his trial in September 86 he claimed that he and Campbell were running their own investigation of drug corruption, without telling anyone else and keeping no records of what they had discovered. He passed money to Campbell once by laying an envelope full of money on the dash of Campbell's truck, and once on the truck seat, but never actually in Campbell's hand.

870123, Lexington, KY, WBKY. In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell trial, Jack Evans, Kentucky State Police, testified that he had talked with Campbell thrice about the trial, and got the idea (but was never told openly) that Campbell wanted him to perjure.

870126, Lexington, KY, KET\WTVQ. In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell & Sheriff Roger Benton trial, Louie di Falais, US Attorney & apparently part of the "Operation Leviticus" investigation, testified that in two years of investigation of Marion Campbell, Campbell gave no indications of ever conducting his own investigation. The Chief of Police of West Liberty, the Morgan County Seat, said that he knew nothing of the two years of drug traffic thru the West Liberty airport. Roger Benton, Sheriff of Morgan County, Kentucky, has a previous conviction for bootlegging.

870127, Lexington, KY, WBKY. In the Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch Campbell & Morgan County Kentucky Sheriff Roger Benton trial, Roger Benton testified that he went along with the drug trafficking in hopes to make some arrests and stop the drug operations.

870204, Lexington, KY, KET\WKYT. Morgan County Kentucky Sheriff Roger Benton says that he will appeal his conviction on drug trafficking charges on grounds that his trial should have had nothing to do with the trial of Marion "Butch" Campbell. He obviously thinks that Campbell will be found guilty. This came after one verdict was reached but not announced.

870205, Lexington, KY, WLAP (Lexington, KY), 2PM. Roger Benton, Sheriff of Morgan County, KY, is found guilty on all counts, three counts of extortion and two of drug trafficking conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of 80 years.

870206, Lexington, KY, WLAP. Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell, Kentucky State Police Commissioner, is acquitted on four counts of extortion and given a mistrial on one count of conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine.

870206, KY, Comment on Kentucky, KET. Three reasons are given for Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell's acquittal on charges of extortion and drug trafficking. 1) Gene Allen, Morgan County Judge-Executive changed his story from his trial where he was convicted of conspiracy to murder. Formerly, he had said under oath that Campbell was conducting his own investigation. The new story is that they were indeed trafficking in cocaine. 2) Allen said that on four occasions that he gave payoff money to Campbell, but never directly. Allen was the only solid witness against Campbell on this, but he is a self-confessed perjurer. 3) In a taped meeting with an FBI informant, Campbell thanked him for "information". The prosecution said that this was code word for protection money; the defense said that this was just normal information. The FBI never actually got Campbell on tape accepting payoff money. The jury was leaning towards acquittal on the drug trafficking conspiracy charges, with at least two holdouts. Prosecutor Arehart wants a retrial. I'm sure that none of the jurors would have been in the least bit concerned about their personal safety after finding the State Police Commissioner guilty of drug trafficking!

870200, KY. There are various news reports of a retrial for Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell on charges of trafficking in cocaine and marijuana, but no date was given.

870313, Lexington, KY, Various radio reports. Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Captain Marion "Butch" Campbell is scheduled for retrial on 11 May 87 for conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and marijuana. But 11 May 87 will come and go with absolutely no mention on any newscast that a Butch Campbell had ever existed. Morgan County Kentucky Sheriff Roger Benton is denied a retrial on his conviction for extortion and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

870318, Whitley City, KY, McCreary County Record, p1. Butch Spencer is tried again on drug charges. Garrett, a drug dealer turned DEA informant, says that he bought one kilo of cocaine from Spencer for $45,000.

870322, Richmond?, KY, WBKY, 11PM. Kentucky State Police crime lab director Glen Morgan Baxter is accused of falsifying hundreds of tests, including his own qualifications.

870326, Lexington, KY, KET. Morgan County, Kentucky, Sheriff Roger Benton is sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 on three counts of extortion and two counts of conspiracy to traffic in illegal drugs.

870331, Louisville, KY, KET. Jeffrey Miles of 2401 Coolridge Ave, Okalona, age 24 or 25, is shot and killed by Louisville cop, John Rucker (Rutger) in a raid on Miles' home. Miles' crime was to be living in an apartment inhabited two years ago by a suspected drug dealer. (The correct address was available in the phone directory.) The murderer was sentenced to paid leave and consultation with the chaplain.

870402, Breathitt Co, KY. James H Noble, Kentucky District Judge, Breathitt County, Kentucky, previously convicted of obstruction of justice for offering to lie in the witness stand for Lester Burns, Jr in a mail fraud trial, is temporarily disbarred. Judge Noble was sentenced to two years on the obstruction of justice conviction.

870400, Wayne Co, KY, rumors only. More unconfirmable rumors that Joe Conn, former Sheriff of Wayne County, Kentucky, is in prison for drug trafficking. Dallas Hammond says that Joe Conn was jailed about five months ago. Reportedly the FBI caught him near Wayne/McCreary line with 18 wheeler full of marijuana headed for the airport in Pine Knot, KY. Harold Tucker says that he was told by Roosevelt Jones that Joe Conn was in prison on drug charges, but could not confirm the details of the reputed arrest. These are unconfirmed rumors only. Nobody has any hard news. See 860220.

870429, Jeffersontown (Louisville), KY, WHAS. Policeman John Rutger is indicted for second degree manslaughter and suspended from the police department. This is for "accidentally" shooting Jeffrey Miles for the crime of living in an apartment inhabited two years ago by a suspected drug dealer. See 870331.

870504, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, May 7, 1987, p2. Kenneth Roberts of Gap Creek was arrested after 233 marijuana plants were found near his home.

870505, WSFC, Noon News. ________ Heins, brother-in-law of Pulaski County Sheriff Sam Catron, was appointed Chief of Police of Eubank. Persistent rumors have it that a brother-in-law of Sheriff Catron is marketing the drugs confiscated by the Sheriff, but it is unknown if this is the same individual.

870515, Somerset, KY, WBKY. Lester Burns, Jr., former Kentucky State Senator, former Kentucky State Police, former attorney, is sentenced to 8 years in prison; 4 each for receiving stolen money from Epperson's Acker robbery/murder, and conspiracy to defraud insurer. Burns will be eligible for parole in 2 years. See 860324, 860716, 861113, 861200, 861231, 870114.

870604, KET, Lincoln Co, KY. Homer & Jerry Day are arrested for growing $300,000,000 of marijuana in 1986.

870611, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 11 Jun 87, p12. 1) Bobby Prince was arrested for cultivating 107 marijuana plants in Dry Valley. 2) Gary Dennis was arrested for cultivating 21 marijuana plants in Slat. These are busts 4 & 5 this year in Wayne Co.

870611, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, 18 Jun 87, p2. At Mt Pisgah, Wayne Co, KY, 223 pot plants were harvested by the Sheriff, but no arrests were made. In a picture the plants loo 5' tall & spindly.

870624, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, July 2, 1987, p12. In Duncan Valley, 638 marijuana plants were found.

870625, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, Jun 25, 1987, p3. In Wayne County, KY, 375 marijuana plants were found at Coopersville Ridge Tuesday and 638 marijuana plants at Duncan Valley were harvested by the sheriff. Duncan Coffey arrested on marijuana cultivation charges in another incident. WKYM. Or was it Scott Fairchild of Coffey Mountain?

870626, Monticello, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, July 2, 1987, p2. Marijuana grand jury indictments are: Kenneth Roberts, 117 marijuana plants; Bobby Prinz, 107 marijuana plants; Kenny Rains, 25 marijuana plants.

870630, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Tommy Morris is arrested with 100 marijuana plants.

870702, WKYM, Slat, Wayne Co, KY. Earl Meyers is arrested with marijuana in his garden. There have been eight marijuana cultivation arrests in Wayne County so far this year.

870707, Parnell, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Billy Brumley is arrested with 67 marijuana plants. That's Billy B Brumley, 36 of Parnell, charged with cultivating 24 plants on Friday, July 3, 1987. A total of 67 plants were recovered in the raid, but they decided to only make it a misdemeanor. The Wayne County Outlook, July 9, 1987, p12. On 9 Dec 88, I (David P Beiter) talked to Billy Brumley about neighboring land. He volunteered that he had been caught with (I thought he said 78) marijuana plants, but that the number was reduced to 24, for which he paid a $137 fine. Coincidentally, his sister is married to Jim Hill, Wayne County Sheriff.

870715, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Floyd Neeley is the fourteenth arrested this year in Wayne County for marijuana cultivation.

870714, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Joe Adams of Slat (Lynchford) is arrested with 148 marijuana plants in his garden, Raymond Troxell of Elk Ridge is arrested with 70 marijuana plants, and 92 marijuana plants were found in Parnell with no arrests.

870725, Cumberland and Clinton Cos, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, Aug 6, 87 from the Clinton County News. Lloyd Stockton, Clinton County Clerk, and James Stonecipher hang the jury on marijuana cultivation charges. Found on Sep 14, 1986 were 3 patches with 300 estimated plants already harvested, and 634 plants in a tobacco field. See 860914.

870727, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook July 30, p10. 405 marijuana plants were confiscated in Meadow Creek, Wayne Co, KY. No arrests were made. WKYM. This was a single patch in wooded area.

870728, Owsley Co, KY, KET. In Owsley County, KY, a Kentucky State Police helicopter found nearly 1000 marijuana plants in one patch.

870729, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM, County Outlook July 30 p10. 49 marijuana plants were confiscated near KY 761, Piney Woods, Cumberland Point, by State police & sheriff. Clifford Meadows (25) and Tracey Meadows (28) were arrested. 3 plots were found.

870730, KY, KET. Kentucky State Police got 110 marijuana plots in the past 3 weeks, mostly in Marion & Washington Counties, using a $600,000 helicopter. 1.3 million plants were found last year.

870801, KY, WBKY. Two people were given two years suspended sentence for marijuana processing? Bad reception.

870806, Pulaski Co, KY, WSEK. In Pulaski Co., KY, 4000 marijuana plants were found in assorted locations by the Kentucky State Police chopper.

870814, Wayne Co, KY, WSFC. Tony Blevins (23) of Parnell was arrested for marijuana cultivation.

870817, KY, WBKY, KET. In "Operation Green/Gray Sweep 87", 90 Kentucky State Police and National Guardsmen and 8 helicopters searched out marijuana fields. The take varies, according to who you listen to, but apparently Nelson, Trimble (200 plants), Shelby (200 plants), Marion (1000 or 2000 plants), LaRue, Taylor (150,000 plants) and Cumberland counties were raided.

870818, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Operation Green/Gray Sweep #2 nets 922 plants in 10 plots in Wayne County. Also one greenhouse belonging to Forrest Southwood of Parnell.

870822, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. Leland Flynn of Barrier was arrested for marijuana cultivation. "Over 20 arrests in Wayne County this year for marijuana cultivation." Over 20?! Perhaps they just have to estimate when they run out of fingers & toes.

870826, Wayne Co, KY, WSFC. 15 marijuana plants were found behind the Alpha Post Office, and Mack Smith of Alpha was arrested.

870826, KY, WAVE. Kentucky State Police and National Guard get 1952 marijuana plants in 33 plots in 9 counties, including Owsley. The total so far this year is 380,000.

870827, Monticello, KY, The Wayne County Outlook p8. Jackie Slagel of Coopersville was found not guilty on 19 Aug of marijuana cultivation in Mt Pisgah.

870827, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, p1. In Wayne Co., KY, the number of marijuana cultivation arrests this year is "over 20.". Last year there were 81 arrests. Pulaski Co has 6 arrests for marijuana cultivation. An estimated $7,000,000 of marijuana was grown in Wayne Co, @ $800 per plant. "30 to 35 plots" have been found, the largest was 634 plants in Duncan Valley; last year's biggest was 1,300 in Sumpter. Last week State Police, with Sheriff Hill as guide, got 922 plants in 10 plots, including a greenhouse operation in the basement of a house in Frazer with over 400 plants. Forrest Southwood of Parnell was arrested with 281 plants.

870902, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW. In Parnell, 300 marijuana plants were found in or on Russell Woods. The Wayne County Outlook, Sep 3, p10 says 300 marijuana plants were found in the Russell Ridge area of Parnell on Aug 31. In a photo they look like they were growing in the woods.

870902, KY, WSFC. Green-Gray Sweep #2 has found 18,500+ marijuana plants in 166 plots and made 3 arrests, since when. The total for the year is 392,626 plants in 1687 plots with 151 arrests. WBKY. Since Monday the take has been 6000+ plants, including 535 plants in 11 plots in Pulaski Co; 950 plants in 7 plots in Rockcastle Co; 788 plants in 5 plots in Laurel Co; and 3916 plants in 61 plots in Clay Co with 2 arrests.

870903, KY, WFLW. The toll is 42,162 plants in 118 plots and 6 arrests. Or is it 18,508 plants, "worth" $14.8 megabux, in 12 counties? 4100 plants in 34 plots were found in Leslie Co, 3900 plants in 61 plots were found in Clay Co.

870903, Pulaski Co, KY, WSEK. 18 plants in 2 plots and 7 plants in 1 plot were found near East Highway 70.

870904, Wayne Co, KY, WSFC. 173 marijuana plants were found at Slickford & Edwards Mountain. 23 plants were found by state police on Frisby Road on Wednesday.

870907, Leslie Co, KY, WBKY. 4 or 5 men shot at raiding state police, then escaped into the brush.

870912, Owensboro, KY, 11:01 PM, WBKY. A drug bust in Owensboro, KY, in June 1986 lead to conviction of a staff officer and 6 other officers of the Philadelphia, PA, Police Department for drug manufacturing.

870913, Clay Co, KY, 3:20PM, WBKY. Cooms? of Clay Co, KY, busted for marijuana production two weeks ago, says that the police should be spending their time chasing criminals, not pot patches. Kentucky State Police Commissioner Elkins replies that there is nothing under the law to make them do so. This may be the same as J. C. Lawson, see Sinsemilla Tips, Fall 87, p24.

870921, Okalona, Jefferson Co, KY, KET. Frank Morgan Jr & Louis Henry, Jr are arrested with great media coverage for cultivating 52 marijuana plants, worth $42,000. That's for the whole patch, not each.

870922, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook Oct 1, 87, p14. 305 marijuana plants were found by police off the Sarah Rogers Road in Parnell. No arrest.

870923, Owensboro, Daviess Co, KY, KNN. 119 arrest warrants were issued for assorted illegal drug activities; LSD, PCP, cocaine, marijuana. This is the result of information received from June 86 busts.

870925, Monticello, KY, The Wayne County Outlook 1 Oct 87, p 14. Recent Grand Jury indictments are: Forrest Southwood, 281 marijuana plants; Joe Ed Shelton, 33 marijuana plants; Tracey Meadows & Clifford Meadows, 49 marijuana plants.

870926, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook 1 Oct 87, p14. 40 marijuana plants from Pueblo are confiscated by the Sheriff. Wayne Co holds the record for the largest number of marijuana cultivation arrests for Kentucky.

871019, Louisville, KY, KET, 32. Tringle, a Louisville Kentucky narcotics officer wrecks his undercover cruiser at high speed while off duty. A cooler full of liquor was found in the vehicle and officer Tringle was found to have a blood alcohol level of 2.5 (said to be too drunk to stand up). [That's gotta be 0.25 blood alcohol!]

871109, WBKY. 40 tons of marijuana worth 40M$ are captured and 17 are arrested. The investigation started first of the year.

871111, Bowling Green, KY. KET, WAVE. John Rucker is found not guilty in the murder of Jeffrey Miles.

871114, Lexington, KY, KET. Three Colombian nationals none of whom spoke English [Rogue Momomera is first] are arrested in the McDonald's parking lot on Winchester Road, in the biggest cocaine bust in Kentucky. 28.5 pounds of cocaine were found in a tractor trailer from Miami, after a sale to an undercover agent. DEA has a new [5 months old] office in Lexington. This operation has been responsible for 43 pounds of coke since May.

871118, KY & IN. 17 are arrested from Loretto, Marion County, KY for growing 20M$ of marijuana in southern Indiana.

871123, KY. Congressman Carroll Hubbard asks FBI to investigate the involvement of Henry Vance (Lexington bigwig recently convicted of supplying the gun used to kill the prosecutor in a drug case in Florida) in wholesale cocaine and marijuana trade in western Kentucky. Hubbard states that major drug smugglers are using local airports, including Bowling Green, KY. On 930416, Comment on Kentucky, Bonnie Kelly (the shooter) is the wife of Mike Kelly, Lexington cop.

880112, KY, WBKY. NORML [The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws] sets the 1987 marijuana production in Kentucky at $1.1 billion, making it fourth in the nation. $0.85 billion in marijuana was produced in 1986. Kentucky State Police claim 1.2 million plants in 1529 plots in 1987, number one in the nation. 408,000 in 86. [??? 30 July 87, 1.3 million plants given for the 86 take. On 4 Sep 86, 384,000 plants were found in 3 plots on one farm in Lincoln Co. 10 Sep 86, 300,000 plants were found in one plot in Taylor Co. 9 Nov 86, year take of 3 tons in 725 plots in Daniel Boone National Forest in 86]

880205, Cincinnati, OH, KET. Kentucky State Police Commissioner Marion "Butch" Campbell is appealing in Federal Court the government plans for a retrial on drug trafficking conspiracy charges. Morgan County Kentucky Sheriff Benton, convicted on conspiracy to murder witnesses to drug trafficking, is still not in prison.

880210, Booneville, KY. 3300 marijuana plants were found by State Police growing in rooms in a hardware store. Reputedly this was worth $3/4 million, or $227 each. Neighbors noticed after hours traffic.

880316, Bowling Green, KY. There is a big roundup of drug dealers, with 15 head & 82 indictments.

880321, WSEK, Somerset, KY. A plane was searched at the Somerset airport and was found to have been used for marijuana smuggling. Thomas Allen Douglas of Bristol VA was arrested. Aeromag was the registered owner.

880322, Lexington, KY, KET. Karl Bartholomew, 34, of Mesa AZ was caught at Bluegrass Airport with two suitcases containing 57 pounds of marijuana valued at 26K$ [456$/lb]. A baggage handler at Covington smelled it.

880406, Lexington, KY, KET. Abdul Kakar, 59, of Afghanistan was arrested in Lexington, KY as part of recent heroin ring.

880513, Eastern KY, WSFC. Mitch McConnell, Senator from Louisville, KY, states that the 1987 marijuana confiscated from the Daniel Boone National Forest was 70,000 plants.

880604, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW. 107 marijuana plants were found by police in Dry Valley, Wayne County KY and Bobby Prince arrested. There have been four pot raids in Wayne County so far this year.

880616, Wayne Co, KY. 110 marijuana plants are confiscated from the Parnell area in the first pot raid of the season. Wayne County Outlook, 16 Jun 88, p10. If this conflicts with the four pot raids as of 4 Jun, you must be hallucinating.

880628, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. 146 marijuana plants were found by the sheriff at Ritner, Wayne County, KY on 28 June 88. Apparently near the Bidwell line on Zorie Jones, above driveway, in thicket. I was surveying there, and never saw them.

880629, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. 21 marijuana plants were confiscated by the sheriff in Betsey, Meadow Creek, Wayne County, KY on 29 Jun 88.

880630, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM. 152 marijuana plants were found by the sheriff at Frazer & Conley Bottom, Wayne County, KY, on 30 Jun 88.

880705, Leslie Co, KY. 700 marijuana plants in 5 plots were found in Leslie County, KY. Or was that 500 plants in 5 plots?

880711, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW, 12 noon. 123 marijuana plants were confiscated and Eugene Russell was arrested in Parnell, Wayne County, KY. 100 plants were confiscated in Meadow Creek.

880712, Wayne Co, KY, Wayne County Outlook, Jul 21, 88. 532 marijuana plants were harvested on Tuesday, July 12, 1988 on J M Huber land near the Daniel Boone National Forest in Mt Pisgah, Wayne County, KY.

880726, Clay Co, KY, radio. One million dollars in marijuana was confiscated in Clay County, KY on or about 26 July 88.

880726, Franklin Co, KY, radio. 200 marijuana plants were confiscated in Franklin County, KY on or about 26 July 88.

880729, Wayne Co, KY, radio. 105 marijuana plants were confiscated in Strawberry, Wayne County, KY on 29 July 88.

880808, Wayne Co, KY, Wayne County Outlook, Aug 11, 1988, p2. 328 marijuana plants were confiscated in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Mt Pisgah, Wayne County, KY this past Monday.

880808, Wayne Co, KY, Wayne County Outlook, Aug 11, 1988, p2. With picture. Clyde Neal was arrested after 121 marijuana plants were discovered on his property in Denney Hollow, Powersburg, Wayne County, KY on or about 8 Aug 88.

880815, KY. 8,000 marijuana plants were found by Green Gray Sweep, mostly in Floyd County, KY on 15 Aug 88. Some reports say only 7,600 plants, but "worth" $6 Million.

880818, Wayne Co, KY, Wayne County Outlook, Aug 25, 1988. 1425 marijuana plants worth $1,140,000 were found by helicopter in Dry Hollow, Wayne County, KY on Thursday, 18 Aug 88. State Police were looking for a specific crop. They started their air search in Clinton County, but the crop was on a mountaintop in Wayne County.

880818, Harlan, KY, radio. 109 people were arrested in Harlan County, KY on cocaine and marijuana charges.

880824, KY, WSFC. Green Gray Sweep #3 at the London Kentucky State Police Post has gotten nearly 10,000 marijuana plants in 51 plots. 3,200 of these were in Bell County, KY on Monday, 22 Aug 88.

880826, Clinton & Cumberland Cos, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, Sep 8, 88, p4, from The Cumberland County News. Marijuana worth nearly $4 million was confiscated in 2 sweeps thru Cumberland & Clinton Counties, KY and Clay County, TN. 1,563 plants in 22 plots in Clinton Co were confiscated on 29 Aug. 106 plants in 3 plots were confiscated on Hayes Rd & Ronnie Gene Thurman, Rt 2, Albany was arrested. On 30 Aug 176 plants were confiscated in one plot in Jackson Hollow near Burkesville. 3,039 plants in 22 plots were confiscated on 26 Aug in the Ashlock area near Cumberland County, KY, & Clay County, TN.

880829, Wayne Co, KY, The Wayne County Outlook, SEP 8, 1988, p14. With picture. 134 marijuana plants were confiscated in the Coopersville & Griffin area, Wayne County, KY on 29 Aug 88.

880906, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW. 81 marijuana plants were confiscated in Bryant Hollow, Cedar Sinking, Frazer, Wayne County, KY on 6 Sep 88.

880908, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW. 228 marijuana plants were confiscated in Slickford, Wayne County, KY and Jason Hancock, age 36 was arrested.

880908, KY, KNN. So far 375,000 marijuana plants have been found by Kentucky State Police. At this time in 1987, 410,000 plants had been found, including one field with 200,000 plants.

880913, Knox & Clay Cos, KY, WYMT, KET. 840 marijuana plants and 50 pounds of processed weed were confiscated in Horn Branch, near the Knox Clay County line, KY and 4 arrests were made on 13 Sep 88.

880919, Wayne Co, KY, WFLW. 104 marijuana plants were confiscated in Powersburg, Mt Pisgah, and Murl, Wayne County, KY on or about 19 Sep 88.

880920, Pulaski Co, KY, WSEK. 114 marijuana plants, two tripwire explosive booby traps, and two sets of former boobytraps were found in the Walnut Grove area of Pulaski County, KY.

881020, Wayne Co, KY, Wayne County Outlook, Oct 20, 1988. David "Beaver" Taylor, age 30, was arrested when police found six marijuana plants growing near his house.

881129, Lexington, KY, KET. Marvin Washington, Lexington Fayette County Kentucky police officer for the past eleven years, is arrested for armed robbery and possession of illegal drugs. Officer Washington accosted at gunpoint two restaurant employees attempting to make a night bank deposit. He was also found to be in possession of cocaine.

881214, Irvine, KY, KET/WKYT. Delmus "Bunt" Gross, Oldsmobile dealer of Irvine, KY; William Patrick of Florence, KY; and Joseph and Kathy Moish of Norcross, GA, are arrested on 39 counts of cocaine and marijuana trafficking and money laundering. Union Bank and Trust of Irvine, KY was used as the laundry, but was not indicted. Gross's lawyer is Charles Coy, of Richmond, KY. This follows a 2.5 [or 4, depending on which story you chose to believe] year investigation by the FBI and IRS.

881219, Pulaski Co, KY, 11:03AM, WSEK. Brian Pleeman of Mesa AZ wrecked on the Cumberland Parkway with 300 pounds of marijuana in his car. He was arrested for drunken driving as well as marijuana trafficking.

881221, Miami, FL, 9:58AM, ABC News, WKYM. 6700 pounds of cocaine on two freighters was seized at Miami FL.

890100, Clay County, KY, KET. J.C. Lawson is arrested. A vendetta is specifically denied by the cops. This is the fellow who had the nerve to suggest that the police spend their time chasing murderers and thieves, rather than pot patches. Ain't no money in murders and thieves.

890210, Somerset, KY, WSEK. Reginald Pennington, age 66, and his son were arraigned on charges of booby trapping a marijuana field on Oct 19 1988. Two explosive traps and two former sets were found by police.

890210, Lexington, KY, KET. At Day's Inn, a shootout between 3 purported Colombian hit men and over 20 FBI agents kills one hit man and wounds two others. The score on the FBI is unclear. The FBI claims that an unspecified Lexington resident refused to pay for 15 kilograms of cocaine priced at $300,000 and that the three thugs were sent from Texas to kill him. It is unstated how the FBI got into the game. That is $20/gm wholesale. David Walker says that New York City street prices for cocaine are $50 per half gram and for marijuana are $150 to $200 per ounce.

890220, KY, KET. On a Crime in Kentucky program, it was mentioned that 90% of prison inmates in Kentucky are imprisoned for either drug or alcohol charges.

890225, Lexington, KY, WSEK. Fayette County, Kentucky, Sheriff Lonas Taulbee and five others are indicted on cocaine trafficking charges.

890308, WBKY, 11:05PM. Darrell Gibson, 32, arrested by FBI for distribution of cocaine was the target of a hit squad.

890231, Lexington, KY, WBKY, KNN. Fayette County Sheriff Lonas Taulbee resigns effective 14 April. He was convicted and sentenced to 5 years for theft and malfeasance. He is yet to be tried for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

890411, Lexington, KY, KNN. Fayette County Sheriff Lonas Taulbee, convicted for stealing $15,000 from the Sheriffs Department, will resign and rerun for election.

890421, Monticello, KY, Wayne County Outlook, May 4, 1989, p2. Dennis Doss of Homestead Housing Project is arrested with 170 marijuana plants in pots in a bedroom.

890505, Lexington, KY, WBKY, 3:15PM. Fayette County, KY, Sheriff Taulbee and 5 others including Arnold Freeman and Bobby Issacs have trial for conspiracy to plant cocaine in the vehicle of chief deputy Joe Albauh, postponed.

890518, Monticello, KY, WKYM, 10AM. On 18 May 89, 72 marijuana plants worth $56,000 were found by the Sheriff and State Police on Town Creek behind Eastview Subdivision.

890613, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM, 7:30AM. 80 marijuana plants found on Spann Hill Saturday afternoon.

890615, Wayne Co, KY, WKYM, 7:30AM. 200 marijuana plants attributed to Scott Hurt. 125 marijuana plants found near Fall Creek Road, 14 June.