MASH FORK – Four were arrested early Friday morning after a traffic stop was initiated by police on Mash Fork.
Just before 2 a.m. on September 25, Magoffin County Sheriff Deputy N. Watson was reportedly on stationary patrol on KY 2020 (Mash Fork) a white SUV passed him and appeared to drive over the far left side of the road in a curve, leading to the officer to conduct a traffic stop, according to the arrest citation.
The driver, identified as Howard T. Lemaster, 53, of Salyersville, reportedly proceeded for another half of a mile before finally pulling over, at which time Deputy Watson realized Lemaster was wanted out of Johnson after seeing his name on e-warrants earlier in the week, according to the police report.
The driver was asked to step out of the vehicle while police verified is warrants were still active, during which time police saw a man in the back seat moving around and hiding his hands. Lemaster was detained and placed in handcuffs while Deputy Watson proceeded to check on the male in the back seat, according to the report.
The passenger, identified as Steven Darrell Vanhoose, 37, of Lomansville, informed police he was attempting to hid a pack of syringes in the map holder of the front passenger seat, and proceeded to show the syringes to Deputy Watson. Vanhoose was sitting next to his 18-month-old son, whom was in a car seat, according to the arrest citation.
Lemaster was then asked to step out of the vehicle and an uncapped needle fell to the ground. Police placed Lemaster in handcuffs, as well, at that point, according to the police report.
Law enforcement secured the uncapped syringe from the ground and also noticed baggies along with a black zipper pouch, also lying on the ground outside of the vehicle. At that point the front seat female passenger, identified as Sheana Crum, 32, of Tomahawk, was removed from the vehicle and placed in handcuffs.
The female passenger Ashley Renae Salmons, 35, of Tomahawk, in the backseat was tending to her 18-month-old son, and was allowed to remain in the vehicle with her son while police conducted a search of the vehicle, according to the citation.
Police found more baggies, crystal-type containers, believed to be methamphetamine, fentanyl and two items appearing to be a wet fentanyl type, methamphetamine cooking spoons, aluminum foil used for cooking narcotics, scoop spoon, homemade scope straws, digital scales, used syringes and new syringes.
Child Protective Services was notified for the 18-month-old, and an ambulance was called to the scene for a medical check, and the baby was taken to Paintsville ARH for evaluation and transfer to another family member.
After in custody, Lemaster reportedly attempted to destroy fentanyl in the back seat of the patrol unit while being transported to the jail.
All four people were taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, and facing the following charges:
Lemaster is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than 2 grams methamphetamine); drug paraphernalia – buy/possess; endangering the welfare of a minor; tampering with physical evidence; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, fentanyl; and tampering with physical evidence.
Vanhoose: first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than 2 grams methamphetamine); drug paraphernalia – buy/possess; endangering the welfare of a minor; tampering with physical evidence; trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, fentanyl; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Salmons: first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than 2 grams methamphetamine); trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, fentanyl; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; endangering the welfare of a minor; tampering with physical evidence; and drug paraphernalia – buy/possess.
Crum: first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than 2 grams methamphetamine); trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, fentanyl; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; endangering the welfare of a minor; tampering with physical evidence; and drug paraphernalia – buy/possess.
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.
