LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root and Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick are reporting that: Following a joint drug investigation officers executed a search warrant at a residence on South KY 1629 in the Corbin area of Knox County with a large quantity of methamphetamine being seized as evidence.
On May 14, 2025 officers with the Corbin Police Department with assistance from the ATF, KSP DESI, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, and in conjunction with the DEA executed a search warrant on a residence where over 1/2 pound of methamphetamine was located seized.
The search warrant stemmed from a joint drug investigation following an undercover operation initiated by narcotics detectives with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Corbin City Patrolman First Class Chris Brown, Patrolman Jarrett Carr who had a prior investigation pending on the accused where over a pound of methamphetamine was located during their investigation.
During the execution of the search warrant officers located over 12 ounces of methamphetamine, marijuana, a large sum of US currency, drug paraphernalia, and found the residence to be in deplorable living conditions where 2 minor children reside.
Arrested individuals were identified as: George Jesse age, 51 of S KY 1629 Corbin, KY and Ashley “Engle” Jesse, age 38 of S KY 1629 Corbin, KY.
George Jesse was charged with:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance- 1st degree- > or = 2 gms methamphetamine
- Criminal Abuse 1st degree - child 12 or under (2 counts)
- Endangering the welfare of a minor (2counts)
- Drug paraphernalia
- Operating on suspended license
Ashley “Engle” Jesse was charged with:
- Trafficking in a controlled substance- 1st degree- > or = 2 gms methamphetamine
- Criminal Abuse 1st degree - child 12 or under (2 counts)
- Endangering the welfare of a minor (2counts)
- Drug paraphernalia
- Tampering with physical evidence
In addition Ashley “Engle” Jesse was served with an outstanding bench warrant out of Laurel County District Court for:
- Neglect action
These individuals were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.
Photos of the accused are courtesy of the Knox County Detention Center.
The case officer for Corbin Police is Patrolman First Class Chris Brown, and for Laurel Sheriff’s Office is Detective Gary Jordan.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root and Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick reports success because of a group effort and reports that drug investigations will continue with support and cooperation of surrounding agencies in the Corbin and Laurel County area.
DEA is adopting this case for possible prosecution federally.
Assisting in the investigation were Laurel County Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives and Corbin City Police were: Sergeant Jeff Hill and K-9 Corporal Estes Rhodes, in conjunction with DEA.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated that drug investigations will continue in Laurel County and that the Laurel County Sheriff's office will continue to cooperate with area law enforcement agencies in the “War on Drugs.”
