DOWN AND AROUND – Three people were arrested on drug trafficking charges on Thursday, May 4 in two different stops during a Kentucky State Police traffic safety checkpoint on KY Rt. 3337.
According to the arrest citations, Kentucky State Police stopped a Chevrolet Tracker from Martin at around 10:30 p.m. when the driver said she didn’t have her license with her.
Both the driver, identified as Nikki Spurlock, 33, of Martin, and the passenger, Magan Keith, 29, of Campellsville, exited the vehicle and police were given consent to search the car.
During the search, KSP found a small quantity of suspected heroin/fentanyl concealed in a piece of paper inside a cigarette pack in the passenger floorboard. The passenger, Keith, denied any knowledge of the substance.
At this time the officers were able to confirm with KSP dispatch that both individuals had several active warrants for their arrest.
While further searching the SUV, KSP found a clear plastic bag of a crystal rock-like substance believed to be methamphetamine in a concealed panel in the rear hatch of the vehicle, with the total estimated weight being one pound.
Spurlock, who had originally told police her first name was Bobbi, told KSP at this point in the traffic stop her name is Nikki, and they were also able to confirm there were more active warrants on Spurlock under that name, as well.
According to the arrest citation, Spurlock is a “known drug trafficker” in the Kentucky State Police Post 9 area.
Given the large quantity of methamphetamine, police believed both individuals in the SUV were participating in the trafficking of meth, with KSP noting in the arrest citation that a pound is substantially more than a user amount. Both Spurlock and Keith were taken into custody and transported to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where they remain at press time.
Spurlock is facing the following charges: trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (greater than or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine); no registration receipt; no registration plates; failure to produce insurance card; failure of owner to maintain required ins/sec, first offense; operating on suspended or revoked operators license; giving officer false identifying information; as well served with 16 warrants from Floyd County District Court.
Magan Keith is facing the following charges: trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (greater than or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine; and possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (heroin). Keith was also served with seven warrants for Campbellsville District Court.
Roughly an hour after Spurlock and Keith were stopped, KSP pulled over a Ford F150 because the driver did not have a valid operator’s license.
The driver, identified as Justin Varney, had an active arrest warrant, and the owner denied consent to search the vehicle.
A KSP canine unit was deployed, with the dog alerting police to the presence of illegal substances.
The passenger and also owner of the vehicle, identified as Shawn Webster Holbrook, age 38, of Pikeville, was read the Miranda Warning and police explained the canine unit alerted them of illegal substances, asking him if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, which he reportedly replied, “Yes.”
Holbrook told police there was heroin and methamphetamine inside the center console and that it was all his. A search of the vehicle confirmed there was a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine and heroin in the console as Holbrook had stated. A smaller amount of suspected heroin was in the passenger door inside a small black container with a lid. Police also found multiple small baggies inside the vehicle, noting in the arrest citation that they were the kind of bags commonly used for drug packaging. Digital scales and other drug paraphernalia, such as syringes and a glass pipe, were also found inside the vehicle’s center console.
Holbrook reportedly told police he purchased the drugs in Lexington, paying $400 for the 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine and $1,000 for the 0.5 ounces of heroin.
Both Varney and Holbrook were arrested and taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, though Varney was charged with lesser charges and has since been released. Holbrook remains at the jail at press time, facing the following charges: trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (heroin); trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, greater than or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine; and buying or possessing drug paraphernalia.
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.
