“Operation Christmas Vacation” narcotics investigation leads to 7 indictments in Logan County

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – A multi-month narcotics investigation resulted in the indictments of seven individuals in Logan County.

Logan County Sheriff Stephen Stratton says the Logan/Russellville Narcotics Unit launched an operation, titled “Operation Christmas Vacation,” that targeted the trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal substances.

The operation started in July.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Russellville Police Department, and Logan County Probation and Parole have coordinated efforts to secure seven indictments from a Logan County Grand Jury, resulting in 11 criminal cases and one case still under investigation.

Stratton says investigators and patrol officers served five active arrest warrants on December 12.

Charges from the investigation include drug trafficking and manslaughter related to the distribution of fentanyl.

The following individuals have been charged:

1) Christopher Edward Burchett

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd or Subsequent Offense (≥ 2 grams Methamphetamine) — 2 counts

• Drug Paraphernalia (Buy/Possess) — 2 counts

• Persistent Felony Offender — 1st Degree

2) Quinton Posey

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 2nd Offense (Fentanyl)

• Drug Paraphernalia (Buy/Possess)

• Persistent Felony Offender — 2nd Degree

3) Jayden Ashley

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense (Fentanyl)

• Drug Paraphernalia (Deliver/Manufacture)

4) Brian Hutcheson

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense (Fentanyl) — 3 counts

• Drug Paraphernalia (Buy/Possess) — 2 counts

5) Joseph Posey

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd or Subsequent Offense (< 4 grams Cocaine) — 3 counts

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd or Subsequent Offense (≥ 2 grams Methamphetamine)

• Possession of Synthetic Drugs, 2nd Offense — 2 counts

• Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 3rd or Subsequent Offense (Methamphetamine)

• Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 3rd or Subsequent Offense (Cocaine)

• Possession of Marijuana

• Drug Paraphernalia (Buy/Possess)

• Persistent Felony Offender — 1st Degree

6) Ryan Ashley

• Manslaughter, 1st Degree (Knowingly selling fentanyl or a derivative resulting in death)

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense (Fentanyl)

• Persistent Felony Offender — 1st Degree

7) Karlisha Petties

• Complicity to Manslaughter, 1st Degree (Knowingly selling fentanyl or a derivative resulting in death)

• Complicity to Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense (Fentanyl)

Karlisha Petties and Quinton Posey remain at large.

Stratton says tips on their whereabouts can be submitted anonymously by calling Logan County ECC at 270-726-4911.