Multiple Drug Trafficking Violations After Law Enforcement Acts On Tip

Drug Complaints Lead To Arrests

Charles A. Rector (28), Smiths Grove.

Darren Doyle, story:
Two Rocky Hill men were arrested and face multiple felony drug charges, including drug trafficking after local law enforcement followed up on a drug complaint, according to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office stated that they arrived at a residence in the 2000 block of Rocky Hill Road to perform what is known as a "knock-and-talk" around 11:50AM after receiving a complaint of possible drug activity at the house. Deputies said the vehicle at the residence had a license plate that did not match the vehicle's description. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies made contact with resident Charles A. Rector (28), at the front door of the property and immediately detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence. Rector allegedly denied having any marijuana and did not consent to a search of the property, officials said. The Sheriff's Office stated that when deputies advised Rector that he would be detained while they worked to obtain a search warrant, Rector became irate and attempted to flee back into the residence but he was placed in handcuffs without incident.

Edmonson County Sheriff Shane Doyle applied for and was granted a search warrant for the property, which resulted in the discovery of marijuana plants, suspected methamphetamine, suspected buprenorphine, several forms of drug paraphernalia commonly used for trafficking drugs, an AR-15-style rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, a sawed-off shotgun, cash, and a debit card.
 

Rector was charged with:

• Cultivate in Marijuana (5 plants or more) 1st Offense (firearm enhanced)
• Trafficking in Marijuana (8 oz to < 5 LBS.) 1st Offense (firearm enhanced)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree/1st Offense (> or = 2 GMS methamphetamine--firearm enhanced)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree/1st Offense (> or = 10 D.U. Drug Unspecified—firearm enhanced)
• Drug Paraphernalia—Buy/Possess (firearm enhanced)
• Possession of Defaced Firearm

Rector was also discovered to have one active Edmonson County Bench Warrant for failing to appear on traffic-related charges, as well as two active Warren County Bench Warrants for failing to appear on additional traffic-related charges.

Harold K. Hendrick (54) of Smiths Grove.

The Sheriff's Office also reported that while deputies were on scene to execute the search warrant at this property, law enforcement observed two pick-up trucks, one white and one green, pull into the driveway of the residence, but they quickly stopped and left. Deputies reportedly followed in a marked patrol vehicle with lights and sirens activated, while the white pick-up allegedly pulled in front of the green and accelerated. The sheriff's office said that the green vehicle stopped while the white kept going and deputies pursued it to the 3000-block of Hayes Lodge Road, where it finally came to a stop. The driver was identified as Harold K. Hendrick (54) of Smiths Grove. During a search of his person, deputies found an unlabeled pill bottle with suspected Percocet (some loose and some bundled), suspected methamphetamine, and a large sum of cash.

Officials said those in the green truck were not in violation of any laws.

Hendrick was arrested and charged with:

• Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (methamphetamine)
• Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (drug unspecified)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (<10 D.U. Drug Unspecified SCH 1 & 2)
• Obstructed Vision and/or Windshield

Sheriff Shane Doyle discussed the arrests.

"There's a lot of opinions on whether or not marijuana should be legalized, but we as law enforcement officers don't have the discretion of whether we want to deal with it or not," Sheriff Doyle said. "And because we pursued this particular tip, we were also able to find a large amount of methamphetamine, and it's just that much more that's off our roads in Edmonson County."

Both Rector and Hendrick were lodged in Hart County Jail.