Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston releases this a statement concerning one of the biggest Drug Trafficking Roundups in the history of Russell County named “OPERATION CHRISTMAS JEER”. 

The Russell County Sheriffs Office, with the assistance from KY State Police and K-9 Units from the Casey County Sheriffs Office and Burkesville PD, along with assistance from the Russell County Attorneys Office, executed 3 Drug Trafficking Search Warrants and arrested numerous individuals on Drug Trafficking and other charges. Sheriff Polston stated that the Pre-Christmas and Pre-New Years roundup was part of his Department’s continued efforts in fighting the Drug Epidemic in Russell County, and one of his campaign promises if elected Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office has executed over 35 Search Warrants or Consent to Search since Sheriff Polston took office. This Drug Trafficking Roundup consisted of many hours of hard work from Deputies, office staff, and Sheriff Polston in a continuing effort to keep drugs off the streets and the drug traffickers behind bars!

The following is a partial list of individuals who were arrested during the roundup, with more arrests to come. These individuals were charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine and/or Marijuana or other drugs. Some have been arrested twice within a year for the same offense by members of the Russell County Sheriffs Dept., and some are Persistent Felony Offenders. 

   1. Rebeka Devore, 37,  Hwy 76 Webb’s Crossroads and Foley store area - Trafficking in a controlled substance (Methamphetamine); Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Methamphetamine); Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Illegal Possession of a Legend Drug; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

   2. Kathy Sutton, 54, Apple Lane/Bernard Ridge/Pleasant Hill area - Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Methamphetamine) and Persistent felony offender. 

   3. Greg Luttrell, 53, Bernard Ridge Area - Trafficking in Marijuana less than 8 oz. 

   4. David Weiand, 22, Old Sano Road Melissa Drive area - Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine); Theft by Unlawful Taking over $500.

   5. William Curt Wilson, 54, Eli Community - Trafficking in Marijuana less than 8 oz. 

   6. Charlotte Miller,42, Russell Springs City Limits - Trafficking in Marijuana less than 8 oz. 

   7. Sandy Mann, 47, Bernard Ridge, Pleasant Hill area - Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine).

   8. Cody Cooper, 28, Carlos Foley Road/Webb’s Crossroads area - Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine); Possession of a  Controlled substance 3rd degree (Pills).

   9. Forrest Wayne Tarter, 63, Eli  community - Trafficking in Marijuana 2 counts (8oz. to 5lbs) and Possession of marijuana. 

   10. Phillip Grider, 41, Apple Lane/Bernard Ridge/Pleasant Hill Area - Trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense. 

   11. Rebecca England, 37, Parks Ridge area of Eli - Trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine).

Arrested and served with outstanding warrants and charged with additional drug charges were:

   12. Shane Cottrell, 19,  Webb’s Crossroads/Foley store area - Possession of a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine); Illegal possession of a Legend Drug; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

   13. Andrew Rhodes, 33, Bernard Ridge/Pleasant Hill area - Theft by unlawful taking under $500.

   14. Jonathon Taylor, 18, Webb’s Crossroads/Foley store area - Possession of a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine); Illegal Possession of a Legend Drug; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

   15. Christopher Decker, 39, Bottoms Road area - 2 outstanding warrants. 

   16. Jairus Israel Burton, 41, Webb’s Crossroads/ Foley store area - Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree 1st offense (Methamphetamine); Illegal Possession of a Legend Drug; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

All of these cases will be presented to a Russell County Grand Jury where additional charges are possible. 

Sheriff Polston reminds all Russell County Citizens that if you suspect illegal Drug Activity in your neighborhood, to contact the Russell County Sheriffs Office Drug/Wanted Persons Tip-line at 270-343-8116 or Russell County Dispatch. All callers will remain anonymous.