Johnson residents indicted on federal drug charges

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PIKEVILLE — Two Johnson County residents were indicted in U.S, District Court on three counts of drug-related offenses.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office picked up

Aaron Tyler Welch, 30, of Van Lear, and Samantha Nicole Daniels, also known as Samantha Webb, 36, of Van Lear, on Sept. 27.

They are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, aided & abetted.

According to the indictment, on or about March 2021, Welch and Daniels allegedly conspired together to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine in Johnson County; on or about March 1, 2022, aided and abetted by each other, possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine in Johnson County; and on or about March 9, 2022, aided and abetted by each other possessed with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

There is also a forfeiture allegation for a Taurus G2C 9mm caliber pistol, One Century Arms, 9mm caliber pistol, and various rounds of ammunition seized from Welch and Davis on or about March 9, 2022, as well as $7,875 in U.S. currency.

Counts 1 & 2 carry a penalty of not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than $10 million fine and at least five years supervised release. Count 3 carries a penalty of not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than a $1 million fine and at least three years supervised release, plus a mandatory special assessment of $100 per count and forfeiture of the items listed.

Both Daniels and Welch were lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.