In Oct. 16-22 Issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Reporter

Arrests of local residents over the last week involved illegal sex charges and the seizure of a large quantity of prescription drugs.

Detective Lt. Tracy L. Irvin reported that a joint investigation by herself and fellow officers at the Jamestown Police Department and the Kentucky State Police has resulted in the seizure of nearly 1,000 pills with an estimated street value of just over $13,000.

The seizure was made over the weekend in Jamestown, after an investigation by Irvin and KSP Trooper Martin Wesley and his canine Klaus.  

Also seized was just over $1,200 in cash.  Taken into custody during the investigation on unrelated warrants was Barry Kerr, 33, of Louisville. 

Kerr was arrested on outstanding warrants from Russell and Taylor Counties and placed in the Russell County Jail.  

Irvin said the investigation is on-going and charges are pending.  Irvin and Wesley were assisted by the officers from the Russell Springs Police Department and the Russell County Sheriff's Department.

A Russell County man was arrested in Caldwell County late last month in a cyber sex sting by the Princeton Police Department, according to Princeton Police Chief Don Weedman.

Jeffrey L. Stanford, 33, of Russell Springs, was arrested on Saturday, Sept. 27 by members of the Princeton Police Department on charges of prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure a minor.

Stafford had been communicating online with Princeton detectives posing as a teenage female and allegedly traveled from Russell Springs to Princeton to meet the girl with whom he thought he was communicating for sex, according to a news release by the department.

He was taken into custody and lodged in the Caldwell County Jail. Stafford's bail was set at $5,000 and was posted by members of Stafford's family on September 29, according to records at the Caldwell County Circuit Clerk's office.

Stafford is scheduled to appear in Caldwell County court on Dec. 1 for a preliminary hearing.

In other local crime news:

o  A Russell Springs man has been arrested on several assault charges and is also accused of breaking-into Brumley's Towing and Auto Body Shop in Russell Springs.

Bobby Gene Flatt, 41, was first arrested by local authorities last Thursday on a charge of 4th degree assault.

More charges were brought against Flatt after an investigation by Russell Springs Police Sgt. Melissa Taylor and Russell County Deputy Sheriffs Lee Smith and Clete McAninch.

The additional charges against Flatt were two more counts of assault, third degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking over $300, according to police reports.

The burglary and theft charges stem from a recent break-in at Brumley's in Russell Springs.

Flatt remains lodged in the Russell County Jail under a $2,500 cash bond and is currently waiting arraignment on those charges, according to Russell County Jailer Darrell McQueary .

o A Russell County man was charged with bootlegging over the weekend.

Luther Stargel, 56, of West Hwy. 76 was cited this past weekend for illegal possession of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of sell in a dry territory.

A total of 18 cases of beer were confiscated during a search at Stargel's residence conducted by Deputies Smith and McAninch.

Stargel was cited to appear in Russell District Court concerning the bootlegging allegation.