Wild Night For Edmonson County Law Enforcement Results In Multiple Felony Arrests

Domestic Abuse, Drive-By Shooting, Busted Meth Lab, $40K In Stolen Property--All Unrelated, All At Same Time

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Brownsville Police, and Kentucky State Police were busy in a wild night on Tuesday that resulted in multiple felony arrests and thousands of dollars in recovered stolen property.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said all available law enforcement officers were called in during the hectic night that began with a domestic violence call that included a report of an intoxicated underage female and an injured victim. 

Samantha Burns, (20), Cub Run

​​Sheriff Doyle said when deputies arrived at the Long Fall Road residence near Nolin Lake around 9:30pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, they found Samantha Burns, (20), Cub Run, who was reportedly intoxicated. Doyle said the unnamed victim had a visible injuries and Burns was arrested.

She was  charged with: Assault 4th degree, domestic violence injury. She was lodged in the Hart County Jail.

While at the residence, the Sheriff's Office received another call of a reported drive-by shooting in Rocky Hill. Doyle said the victim reported several gunshots were fired toward the victim's home and that a white SUV with loud exhaust sped away immediately following the shots.

According to authorities, officers located a vehicle with a matching description in the area and a traffic stop was initiated by Brownsville City Police, who assisted. 

The Sheriff's Office said that Joshua Smith, (36), of Smiths Grove, was in the vehicle along with four juveniles. During a search of the vehicle, officials said that multiple handguns were discovered along with several spent shell casings. 

Further investigation led to more of the exact same shell casings being found at the side of the road in front of the victim's house. Smith was arrested and charged with Wanton Endangerment-first degree and Possession of handgun by convicted felon, both of which are felony charges. He was lodged in the Hart County Jail.

​Incredibly, during the exact same time, an anonymous call was received by the Sheriff's Office of a potential hostage situation at a residence on Junior Prather Road, also in Rocky Hill. The Sheriff's Office and Kentucky State Police arrived at the residence where five individuals were present.

The Sheriff's Office said that officers had probable cause to obtain a search warrant, which was executed on site. During the search, officers discovered a meth lab, a tank of anhydrous ammonia, multiple handguns, and various controlled substances. 

In addition, three commercial lawn mowers and a 24' dovetail trailer that were reported stolen out of Nelson County were discovered on the property.

The following individuals were arrested:

• Stanley Chapman (44) of Smiths Grove, charged with Manufacturing meth: second or more offense, Possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture meth, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-first offense, Possession of handgun by convicted felon, Receiving stolen property of $10,000 or more, and Trafficking in controlled substance-second degree, first offense.
• Dana Martin, (54) of Smiths Grove, charged with Manufacturing meth-first offense, Possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture meth, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-first offense, Possession of controlled substance first degree, first offense-meth.
• Michelle Lee Martin (20) Taylorsville, charged with: Manufacturing meth-first offense, Possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture meth, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-first offense, Possession of controlled substance first degree, first offense-meth.
• Matthew Martin, (49) Smiths Grove, charged with: Possession of marijuana, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-first offense, Possession of handgun by convicted felon, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-second or more offense.
• James C. Karner, (35) Louisville, Manufacturing meth-first offense, Possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture meth, Possession of handgun by convicted felon, Unlawful possession of meth precursor-first offense.

Stanley Chapman, (44) Smiths Grove.

Matthew Martin, (49) Smiths Grove

Dana Martin, (54) of Smiths Grove

Michelle Lee Martin (20) Taylorsville

James C. Karner, (35) Louisville

The Sheriff's Office also said an assisting officer from the Barren County Drug Task Force was able to use information from this case to obtain a search warrant for another property belonging to Chapman in Barren County. Officials said multiple related arrests were also made in Barren County where two stolen vehicles and a stolen box trailer was also discovered.

More than $40,000 worth of stolen property was recovered in Edmonson County alone. All three calls came within minutes of one another.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said he was thankful for all the officers coming together at once during a chaotic time in situations that had the sheriff, deputies, and multiple agencies moving from scene-to-scene.

"I can't say it enough. I know I'm always proud of our office and how we try to go about our business, but I'm so grateful to also be able to rely on our other local and area agencies," he said. "Thanks to a great working relationship with Brownsville City Police, the Kentucky State Police, and our friends in Barren and surrounding counties, we always seem to be able to come together. I was able to reach our friends in Nelson County about this stolen property while we were all still on scene. You don't find this in every county and I'm very thankful for that."

Doyle also credited his own staff for their effort, including some off-duty officers.

"We called in two deputies that were not supposed to be on duty," he said. "They dropped what they were doing and immediately joined us at the meth lab. I'm really proud of everyone who worked these cases."

Doyle said more charges are pending. The Rocky Hill incidents are not suspected to be related.

​*The Michelle Martin and Matthew Martin listed in this article are not the Michele Lea Martin age 46, and Matthew Martin age 22, of Bert Davis Road.