Trial date set in Johnson County meth case

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

PIKEVILLE — An April federal trial date was set for two Johnson County residents who were arraigned last week on methamphetamine charges.

Edgar Castle and Tabitha Staton pleaded not guilty Tuesday, Feb. 5, in U.S. District Court at Pikeville to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

An April 5 trial date was scheduled for Castle and Staton following their arraignment.

Castle and Staton were charged in a superseding indictment returned Jan. 27 that alleges they conspired together and with others to distribute methamphetamine from March through Oct. 29, 2021.

“As part of the conspiracy, it was agreed upon and reasonably foreseeable as to Edgar Castle that 50 grams or more of methamphetamine would be distributed,” the indictment says. “ As part of the conspiracy, it was agreed upon and reasonably foreseeable as to Tabitha Staton that 5 grams or more of methamphetamine would be distributed.”

The indictment also says the pair, aided or abetted by each other, distributed 5 grams or more of the drug on March 22, 2021.

Castle was indicted Nov. 13, 2021, by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Johnson County.

Castle conspired with others to distribute 500 grams or more of a “mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine” from March through Oct. 29, according to the indictment.

In addition, distributed a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on March 22, the indictment says. He also distributed 50 grams or more of the drug on April 20, the indictment says.

The indictment also says Castle distributed methamphetamine on Oct. 27 and possessed with the intent to distribute the drug on Oct. 29.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, a confidential source made four controlled purchases from or at the direction of Castle.

On March 22, the source negotiated the purchase of one ounce of methamphetamine with Castle, which was completed by Staton, Castle’s girlfriend, for $800, the affidavit says.

On April 20, the source negotiated and completed the purchase of two ounces of meth from Castle for $1,500, according to the affidavit.

On July 22, the source negotiated and completed the purchase of an 8-ball of meth from Castle for $250 and one ounce of the drug for $600 from Castle on Oct. 27, the affidavit says.

All purchases occurred at Castle’s residence at Sitka, the affidavit said, and the source was “equipped with an audio/video recording device to capture events occurring outside the presence of law enforcement.”

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant and served it at Castle’s residence on Oct. 29, the affidavit said.

“During the execution of the search warrant law enforcement recovered approximately two ounces of suspected methamphetamine, handguns, and various other items of evidentiary value,” the affidavit said. “Castle was also present during the execution of the search warrant.”

During an interview with law enforcement, Castle said he had been dealing with a “source of supply” from Michigan for approximately four months, the affidavit says. Castle said he initially bought one pound of meth for distribution in Kentucky but that it increased over time to five pounds at a time, according to the affidavit.

Castle said he paid the source $5,000 per pound of meth he received, the affidavit says.

Castle agreed to place a phone call to the number used by him to contact the source, the affidavit said.

“During the phone call law enforcement noted that Castle made contact with a male subject identified by Castle as Moody, and that Castle attempted to negotiate an order for eight pounds of methamphetamine at the price of $5000.00 per pound for a total of $40,000.00,” the affidavit says. “Law enforcement further noted that during the call Castle and Moody discussed a $22,000.00 drug debt owed to Moody by Castle. Castle was placed into custody and the transaction did not take place.”