Rescue Squad Commander Arrested On Meth, Other Drug Charges

Dakota Yates (26) of Roundhill

Nicholas Spainhoward (37) of Sweeden

Darren Doyle, story:
Two local men have been arrested on meth and other drug charges, according to Edmonson County Sheriff's Office; one of which was the commander of the Edmonson County Rescue Squad.

The Sheriff's Office said that on Friday, May 7, 2021, at approximately 9:00 pm, local deputies made contact with two individuals in a vehicle parked at a local boat storage facility located on Noah Stevenson Road. The Sheriff's Office said that the owner of the facility had requested extra patrol in the area due to suspicious activity.

Upon making contact, deputies reportedly smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and identified the operator as Nicholas Spainhoward (37) of Sweeden, and the passenger as Dakota Yates (37) of Roundhill. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of drug paraphernalia, suspected methamphetamine, suspected Oxycodone, and suspected Hydrocodone, the Sheriff's Office stated.

The Sheriff's Office also said that as deputies attempted to place both subjects in handcuffs, Yates began to resist arrest while given multiple commands from deputies to comply, at which point deputies forcibly detained him from the ground.

J.T. Carroll, chief of Bear Creek Fire Department and a member of the Rescue Squad, confirmed to the Edmonson Voice that Yates, who was the commander of the squad at the time of his arrest, was being removed from the organization.

Both Spainhoward and Yates were charged with:

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (> or = 2 GMS Methamphetamine)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (> or = 10 Drug Unspecified)
• Drug Paraphernalia—Buy/Possess
• Prescription Controlled Subject Not in Proper Container, 1st Offense

Yates was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest.

Both subjects were lodged in Hart County Jail.

"Yates was the last known commander of the Edmonson County Rescue Squad, which operates as their own entity and is not affiliated with the Sheriff’s Office or any other emergency services provider in the county," said Sheriff Shane Doyle in a written statement.

The Edmonson County Fiscal Court did not renew their agreement with the Edmonson County Rescue Squad when it was presented before magistrates at the April 12, 2021 meeting. That agreement allows the squad to operate with county offices, fire departments, and local dispatch. The court decided that there should be no further affiliation due to what they said was lack of training and lack of proper requested financial documentation.