PAINTSVILLE – A dentist from Salyersville was arrested in Paintsville last Friday night for reportedly impersonating a police officer.
According to the arrest citation, Paintsville Police Department (PPD) was called on March 17 regarding a male in the Mayo Plaza who was allegedly trying to get a young girl to come smoke some Hawaiian Pineapple Express marijuana that he had with him.
When PPD Officer J. Jackson arrived, he found the black pickup truck the caller had told dispatch the male subject was driving around the plaza, according to the arrest citation. The truck had very dark tinted windows, so the officer reported not being able to see inside the vehicle. He approached the driver’s side window and asked the driver for his license, at which time the driver, identified as Dr. Richard L. Connelley, 69 years old, of Salyersville, provided his license and told police he was a deputy sheriff in Magoffin County and had been with the department over 12 years, according to the police report.
Allegedly, Connelley pulled out his badge, showed it to the officer and placed it on his dashboard.
PPD contacted Magoffin County Sheriff Bill Meade, who told them Connelley is not a deputy and he had no idea how he had a badge because he didn’t give it to him.
When asked for the badge, Connelley reportedly pulled two blank checks and money out of his pockets and told police he is a dentist in Paintsville. PPD Officer T. Cable then noticed the badge was still on the dash and took possession of it to give it back to the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department, though Connelley continued to say he was a deputy and he had worked with Carson for a long time.
Editor’s Note: It is important to note that Connelley was a deputy under former Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery at one point, but the official time period is unknown and Sheriff Meade took office in January this year. He has dental offices in Salyersville and Paintsville.
Police noted in the arrest citation Connelley smelled strongly of marijuana and had glossy red eyes, dry mouth, and his coordination was very off.
When talking with the young female he had reportedly tried to persuade to get in his truck, she told police Connelley had texted her wanting to smoke weed with her, also asking her where she lived and her birthday.
Police found the messages Connelley had sent her on her Facebook account, first asking her if she had been brushing and flossing her teeth, then sending her a photo of a large amount of marijuana laying on a plate, but then apologizing and saying he sent that photo on accident.
The girl told police she had been a patient of Connelley’s for past dental work, reporting to law enforcement that his office smelled like marijuana. She said she was scared for herself since he had been her dentist and had her information.
Police found under the driver’s seat of Connelley’s truck a marijuana roach that had been smoked.
Connelley was arrested and taken to Paintsville ARH, read implied consent at the testing site and asked if he wanted to contact an attorney. He consented to a blood test and said he didn’t want to contact an attorney.
He was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he was released on bond after approximately 5 hours. Connelley is currently charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence (first offense), impersonating a peace officer, possession of marijuana, excessive windshield/window tinting, and failure to produce insurance card.
Connelley is scheduled to be arraigned in the felony-level case on April 12 at 9 a.m. in Johnson County court.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
