Enough fentanyl to kill 8,000 people seized in Simpson County

SIMPSON COUNTY, Ky. –  South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force agents identified several individuals in connection with bringing fentanyl into Simpson County.

The drug task force said agents saw an increase in overdoses related to fentanyl in the past year and identified purple fentanyl coming out of Tennessee as the cause.

Agents identified and arrested one of the suspected dealers as Shelby Simmons, 37, of Franklin, Ky. Simmons is suspected of selling the purple fentanyl as well as methamphetamine.

Agents also identified and arrested several other individuals that were suspected to be involved in trafficking and importing fentanyl into Simpson County, including Jonathan Vaughn, 32, of Franklin, Halbert Warden, 51, of Franklin, Gary Denning, 67, of Franklin, Pamela Sanabria, 63, of Westmoreland, Tenn. and Lloyd Fields, 36, of Russellville.

Agents conducted this investigation over several months and seized enough fentanyl to kill an estimated 8,000 people.

Simmons was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (fentanyl) (three counts), trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school (three counts), trafficking in a controlled substance first degree, first offense (less than two grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine) (two counts), wanton endangerment, first degree, importing fentanyl, trafficking in a controlled substance, third degree, first offense, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Warden was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (fentanyl), trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), wanton endangerment, first degree, trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, improper turning, disregard traffic control device, careless driving, wanton endangerment, first degree (police officer) and fleeing or evading police, first degree (motor vehicle).

Denning was charged with engaging in organized crime, possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (fentanyl) (two counts), drug paraphernalia, trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (fentanyl) and importing fentanyl.

Vaughn was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), no insurance on vehicle, disregard stop sign, reckless driving, trafficking
in marijuana, less than eight ounces, possession of a controlled substance, first offense (fentanyl), drug paraphernalia, fleeing or evading police, first degree (motor vehicle), fleeing or evading police, first degree (on foot), driving on a DUI suspended license, wanton endangerment and no registration plates.

Sanabria was charged with engaging in organized crime, failure to wear seat belts, possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (fentanyl) and drug paraphernalia.

Fields was charged with engaging in organized crime.