Search warrant suggests suspect in trooper’s death may have been trafficking drugs

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  Paperwork for an affidavit for a search warrant in the case of Emonnie Branch, the man accused of shooting and killing Trooper Hayden Phillips, and new information has been brought to light.

According to the affidavit, the Kentucky State Police requested a search warrant for Branch’s Apple iPhone that was seized from his 2017 Honda Civic.

The search warrant requests access to information on the phone to investigate the charge of murder and/or drug trafficking.

Branch is not currently charged with drug trafficking, but according to the affidavit, police found two spent shell casings and suspected narcotics inside of a Cheetos bag inside of Branch’s car.

The affiant stated he believes the baggies to contain cocaine and that they were packed into three separate baggies alongside a digital scale and other empty baggies.

The affidavit states that based on the amount and location of the suspected narcotics, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, including baggies, the affiant believes Branch was engaged in drug trafficking.

The affidavit requests access to Branch’s iPhone to check for evidence of drug trafficking.

The affidavit was submitted by Jonathan Vaughn with KSP and was signed by Judge Kimberly Geoghegan.