FAR MIDDLE FORK – Two ATV riders were arrested for alleged drug trafficking on Monday night in the Far Middle Fork area.
According to the arrest citation, Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy N. Watson had just finished at a call in the nearby area and he was back on patrol, traveling northbound on KY 378, when he saw two people on an ATV sitting beside the road, with the driver known to have active outstanding warrants.
Deputy Watson stopped and told the driver of the ATV, identified as John R. Montgomery, 46, of West Puncheon Fork, that he had to go with police because he had warrants for his arrest, advising Montgomery to empty his pockets and give the items to the passenger of the ATV, which he complied.
While taking him to the front of the patrol car to be searched, Montgomery reportedly threw a small bag containing a white looking material into the ditch. At this time, Deputy Watson handcuffed Montgomery and contacted dispatch for additional units to be sent to his location to conduct a search of the area for the item thrown into the ditch, according to the police report.
The passenger, identified as Corinna Joann Risner, 45, also of West Puncheon Creek, was asked to empty her pockets, as well, and sheriff’s office deputies T. Lafferty, G. Hall and C. Risner arrived at the location, and Risner was detained, according to the report.
Police found a small cellophane bag containing a rocky-type substance in the ditch line. On the ATV, they found several containers with three different bags containing over 32 grams of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, more than 12 distribution baggies, and one unlabeled pill bottle containing 86 hydrocodone, according to the arrest citation.
Evidence was photographed, seized and the ATV was released with other belongings to the neighbor, per Montgomery and Risner’s request, according to the police report.
John R. Montgomery and Corinna Risner were taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where they remain at press time, both charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine; and buying or possessing drug paraphernalia. Risner was also charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, greater than or equal to 10 dosage units of opiates. Montgomery was additionally charged with persistent felony offender and possession of marijuana.
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.
