Whitley County, KY - The Whitley County Sheriff's Department is reporting that at around 9:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Sergeant Kirk Mays responded to a citizen’s request for extra patrol along Hwy. 904 and while on patrol, he spotted a 2005 Dodge SUV fail to signal and continue driving in a careless manner.
Sgt. Mays conducted a traffic stop, and the driver, Christopher King, 26, of Jellico, stated he did not have a driver’s license in his possession.
Whitley County E911 reported to Sgt. Mays that a man by that name and matching his description was wanted for a felony offense out of Georgia.
Sgt. Mays detained King and his passenger, Joshua Bowen age 30 of the Southern Whitley County area, and continued the investigation.
Upon first approaching the vehicle, Sgt. Mays had noticed what seemed to be the scent of marijuana. King provided consent to search the vehicle, and admitted there was marijuana in it. A block of marijuana weighing approximately five pounds was located. Found concealed within the console was approximately $6,800, and King had on his person an additional $500 in cash.
King was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana (greater than five pounds), careless driving and failure to signal. He was also served with the Georgia arrest warrant.
Bowen was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana (greater than five pounds). He was also served with a Whitley Co. warrant for trafficking in cocaine (greater than 4 grams). The charge for trafficking in cocaine stemmed from an investigation by Whitley Co. Lieutenant Tim Baker during his time as the department’s narcotics detective.
King and Bowen were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.
Assisting at the scene were Lt. Baker and Deputy James Fox.
Photos courtesy of the Whitley County Detention Center.
