Sheriff: Redneck Rave Vendor Arrested With Illegal THC-Based Products: 9 Other Arrests Made

Illegal THC-based edibles were seized from a vendor at the recent Redneck Rave event.

Edmonson Voice Report: photo courtesy of Edmonson County Sheriff's Office:

**CORRECTION** 10/19/21, 3:17PM: The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office issued a correction stating the charge was incorrectly typed on their original press release. The Sheriff's Office stated that the actual amount of illegal drug paraphernalia was around 35lbs, and the charge should have been listed as Trafficking in Marijuana (greater than 5 lbs.)—1st Offense, not 'greater than 75lbs' as they originally stated.

A Michigan man who told the Sheriff's Office he was a vendor at the recent "Redneck Rave" event at Blue Holler ATV Park was arrested in a large illegal THC-based edible product bust, according to a press release from the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

From Thursday, October 14, 2021, through Sunday, October 17, 2021, deputies with the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office increased patrol and initiated numerous traffic stops in the Lincoln community of the county as a result from what they described as increased travel in the area for the Redneck Rave, an event held at Blue Holler Off-Road Park on Ollie Road. Over the 4-day period, the Sheriff's Office issued 17 citations issued and made a total of 9 arrests.

Tyler James Smith (29) of Homer, Michigan was first cited for Possession of Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia--Buy/Possess, and Rear License Not Illuminated, and later arrested for Trafficking in Marijuana (>5 lbs.)—1st Offense.**

A sheriff’s deputy reported that he initially observed Smith’s vehicle operating without a license plate light and initiated a traffic stop. Upon making contact with Smith, sheriff’s deputies said they observed Smith to be extremely nervous and visibly shaking. Deputies reportedly detected the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, which prompted a probable cause search that resulted in the discovery of suspected THC edibles, suspected marijuana, and cash, the Sheriff's Office said.

Smith allegedly told deputies he was intending to sell all the edibles, Hemp, and CBD oil products at the Redneck Rave. According to the Sheriff’s press release, deputies were advised by the Commonwealth Attorney to seize all edibles in unmarked packages, and anything labeled “THC.” Upon further investigation of the seized items, the Commonwealth Attorney advised to arrest and charge Smith with trafficking, the Sheriff’s Office stated. Smith was located and detained by officers with Cave City Police Department and then formally charged and arrested by Edmonson County Sheriffs’ Office for trafficking in marijuana, greater than 5lbs.

The Sheriff's Office reported more arrests in the area over the weekend, which included:

• Jessie McInerney (22) of Greenville, Kentucky, a passenger in a vehicle pulled over for a seat belt violation. Drug paraphernalia was laying in plain view when the deputy attempted to verify the VIN of the vehicle with the driver, which led to the discovery of McInerney being in possession of suspected drugs, the Sheriff's Office stated. McInerney was arrested and charged with: Failure to Wear Seatbelt, Drug Paraphernalia—Buy/Possess, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (drug unspecified), Possession Controlled Substance, 3rd Degree (drug unspecified), and Trafficking in Marijuana (less than 8 oz)—1st Offense.
• Bryan Clark (40) of Big Clifty, Kentucky, the operator of a vehicle on Ollie Road, pulled over for another seat belt violation. Clark was arrested and charged with: Driving on Suspended License—1st Offense, Failure of Non-Owner Operator to Maintain Required Insurance—1st Offense, and Failure to Wear Seat Belt. He was also served an active Bench Warrant out of Hardin County for drug-related offenses.
• Tyler Drake (25) of Cross Plains, Tennessee, who was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Substance—1st Offense and No Tail Lamps after a deputy witnessed Drake turn from Ollie Road onto Nolin Dam Road with zero illumination for his trailer lights. The Sheriff's Office said once contact was made with Drake, it was suspected that he was driving under the influence. Field sobriety tests were administered, which Drake allegedly failed, and he was arrested.
• Thomas Barbour (28) of Muncie, Indiana, operating a vehicle on Nolin Dam Road with no license plate light. Upon contact with Barbour, the sheriff’s deputy reportedly detected the strong odor of marijuana and suspected Barbour to be under the influence. Field Sobriety Tests were given, and allegedly failed. He was charged and arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Substance—1st, Rear License Plate Not Illuminated, and Possession of Marijuana.
• Nicholas Baxter (25) of Muncie, Indiana was arrested for two active Edmonson County warrants stemming from attempted murder, assault, and wanton endangerment charges/indictment.
• Marina Bills (19) of Bowling Green, Kentucky failed to stop at a stop sign on Ollie Road, and when contact was made, the sheriff’s deputy could visibly see numerous beer cans in the bed of the vehicle and detected the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the vehicle, the press release stated. Field Sobriety Tests were conducted and allegedly failed. Bills was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Substance—1st and Disregarding a Stop Sign.
• Charles Sherfey (23) was arrested on an active Bench Warrant out of Daviess County for Failure to Appear on charges of Operating on Suspended or Revoked Operator’s License and Failure to Wear Seat Belt.
• Ian Smith (22) of Cullman, Alabama was operating an off-road vehicle on the roadway, the Sheriff's Office said, and the driver was suspected of driving under the influence due to the odor of alcohol coming from his person. Field Sobriety Tests were performed, to which Smith allegedly failed, and he was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence Alcohol/Substance—1st Offense.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said that despite the arrests and citations, this weekend's event was quieter than the one that was held in June.

"There were much fewer injuries reported and no criminal complaints from inside the park," he said. "All the activity was generated from traffic in the Lincoln community related to the event. In addition to the DUI arrests and the warrants served, we also managed to handle what is possibly the biggest drug bust in ECSO history. Several pounds of cannabis edibles were seized from someone who stated he was a vendor at the event. We are grateful to the community for their patience shown to the Sheriff’s Office, and we believe that a lower attendance at the event, possible measures taken by the event coordinators, as well as the precedence set from law enforcement presence during the June event contributed to a safer weekend for everyone. We encourage tourism into our beautiful community, but as I’ve stated before, we expect everyone to be respectful of the county and the law when you get here. I want to also commend my staff for their hard work and thank our partners at the Kentucky State Police for their additional presence in the area over the weekend."