Man charged in drug trafficking investigation in McCracken County

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. – Authorities say two guns and multiple pounds of methamphetamine resulted in the arrest of a McCracken County man.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, during a multi-agency investigation, detectives developed information that 35-year-old Richard L. Johnson of Paducah was involved in drug trafficking and was receiving packages containing controlled substances from California.

Authorities say some of the parcels were intercepted before Johnson’s arrest and were found to contain multiple pounds of methamphetamine.

The investigation determined the illegal drug was being distributed in McCracken County, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities say they determined that on July 29, Johnson went to a Paducah-area post office and mailed two handguns through the U.S. mail, intending for the weapons to be delivered to an individual in California.

According to the sheriff’s office, the guns were intercepted and seized by United States Postal Inspectors as part of the investigation.

At the time of his arrest, authorities say Johnson was out on bond in connection with burglary charges involving a Paducah business.

Authorities say on Aug. 7, detectives arranged a controlled transaction with Johnson and a cooperating source. According to authorities, Johnson agreed to provide about one-quarter pound of methamphetamine in exchange for two handguns.

Johnson allegedly traveled to a hotel located in the 2900 block of John Puryear Drive in McCracken County for the transaction. For officer and public safety, authorities say the guns were not introduced into the transaction.

Johnson arrived with a simulated controlled substance that he intended to represent as methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office.

As authorities worked to take Johnson into custody, they say he ran from the scene.

Deputies say they pursued him and apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit.

Authorities say they recovered the simulated controlled substance, suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other evidence related to the investigation.

Johnson was arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail.

Johnson faces charges of conspiracy to trafficking in methamphetamine, possession for sale or transfer of a simulated controlled substance, second-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, failure to notify the Department of Transportation of an address change and two counts of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Detectives were assisted by the U.S. Postal Inspectors, Hopkinsville Police Department, Paducah Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.