Louisa and Paintsville Police work together to get criminal behind bars

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

A Johnson County man ended up with drug charges after a routine traffic stop in the parking lot at Louisa Walmart on Thursday, July 16.  

According to an arrest citation written by Louisa Police Officer Chase Kirk, he observed a 2006 Hummer H3 disregard two stop signs in the parking lot .

This was just after Kirk had also received reports that a man and a woman in the vehicle were acting suspiciously while in the parking lot.

Kirk stated that after conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, James A. Hicks, 54, and obtained consent to search the vehicle.

During the search, Kirk stated, he located two baggies containing a total of approximately 3 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, as well as four pills that were identified as Methadone and a quantity of suspected marijuana.

Kirk stated that he also found $14,310 in cash and, while searching, observed a message on Hicks’ phone in which Hicks told another individual that he could sell an “eight ball” for $100.

The citation said Kirk also found multiple new “small dose” baggies and various other sizes of baggies.

Hicks was arrested and charged with 1st degree trafficking in a controlled substance (greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine, second or greater offense), 3rd degree possession of a controlled substance (unspecified), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance not in original container and traffic charges.

He was lodged in the Big Sandy regional Detention Center.

This incident was the result of an investigation conducted from a traffic stop where drugs, drug packaging materials, information related to the sale of illegal drugs and a large sum of money were discovered. Officers were able to coordinate with Paintsville Police Department to obtain and execute a search warrant at Hicks residence in Paintsville. This resulted in additional drugs and related trafficking paraphernalia evidence being obtained. Hicks faces additional charges in Johnson County related to the evidence obtained during the search warrant.

“We are grateful for working relationships with other agencies. Drug trafficking cases can become complex and cross multiple jurisdictions that affect each of our communities.”