JANUARY 11, 2016
Meth conspiracy allegations detailed by prosecutor
A Pike grand jury returned indictments last week against 10 individuals in connection to manufacturing methamphetamine in Pike County, including, officials say, an organized ring of individuals operating under the direction of a Pikeville man.
According to the Pike Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Bartley, Fred Hunt, 62, of Harolds Branch Road, Pikeville, was the head of an organized ring of meth manufacturers, distributors and users that was uncovered following a months-long investigation into the manufacturing of the drug.
Hunt was indicted on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing methamphetamine and two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
“We have indicted nine people with one indictment, with Fred Hunt being at the top, not only of the indictment, but also of this organized group,” said Bartley. “Hunt was coordinating the obtaining (of ingredients), the manufacture of the product and the distribution of the product. (The group) was like a small company whose final product was to manufacture meth for their own use or for distribution.”
The nine individuals named in the indictment, including Hunt, face various charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine and trafficking methamphetamine as well as two individuals facing persistent felony offenders.
According to the indictment, one of those facing a persistent felony offender charge is Shawn Lowe, 36, of Riggs Drive, Raccoon.
Lowe, indicted less than two months ago and facing a potential life sentence in Floyd County for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine at the Alpike Hotel, was indicted on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing meth and being a persistent felony offender.
“(Lowe) is an example of the trend that I have seen with the usual tactics and methods that we use for rehabilitation simply don’t seem to be effective when dealing with people addicted to meth,” said Bartley. “Here is a guy who is out on bond for manufacturing in Floyd County, looking at a potential life sentence, and here he is arrested again for manufacturing meth.”
Sandra Miller, 46, of Granite Drive, Pikeville, is the other of the nine to face a persistent felony offender charge. Miller, according to the indictment, was indicted on being a persistent felony offender as well as engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing meth and trafficking in meth.
“Sandra Miller is actually on probation for trafficking from a sentence in September,” said Bartley. “Prosecutors across the state have been dealing with (the meth) problem for years and what we see here is common. People that make meth do not quit making meth. If you let them out on bond, if you probate them or if they get imprisoned, when they get out, they go back to making meth.”
In a separate indictment, exclusive of the criminal syndicate, Larry “Bo” Kendrick, 38, of the Left Fork of Dry Fork, Elkhorn City was indicted on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine and being a persistent felony offender.
According to Bartley, Kendrick was indicted less than eight months ago for manufacturing meth prior to the latest charge.
Kendrick was one of five people that officers located at a house manufacturing methamphetamine, but Kendrick, along with one or two others ran, Bartley said.
“Kendrick already had the indictment pending and a hearing coming for the first case when the officers came and got warrants,” said Bartley. “So, Kendrick had the warrant out for him for running and manufacturing meth, and when the officers went to his house to serve the warrant on April 10, he was making meth. He was making meth at his own home when officers were to serve the warrant for making meth.”
Kendrick and Lowe, according to Bartley, are just two of the many examples that show the highly addictive nature of meth.
“Once they become addicted, either they are incarcerated or they die, that is the only way to stop their meth manufacturing and meth use,” said Bartley.
Others named in the indictment relative to the criminal group included:
• Alex Hall, 24, of Logan’ Bend, Minnie, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing methamphetamine, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a controlled substance.
• Pierce Christie, 26, of Lexington, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate and manufacturing methamphetamine.
• Wesley Hall, 34, of Salyersville, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing methamphetamine and first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Jessica Gibson, 31, of Carter Drive, Pikeville, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate and manufacturing methamphetamine.
• Dan Gardner, 35, of Kelsey Friend Drive, Pikeville, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate and manufacturing methamphetamine.
• Kortney Tackett, 25, of Prestonsburg, on charges of engaging in a criminal syndicate, manufacturing methamphetamine and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance.
One other individual was indicted for non-methamphetamine related charges:
• Donielle L. Adams, 26, of Turkey Pen Road, on a charge of second-degree escape.
By Chase Ellis
Appalachian News-Express
