Two Smiths Grove men arrested after drug complaint

SMITHS GROVE, Ky. – The Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office said two men from Smiths Grove were arrested Tuesday after a search warrant was executed.

At about 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the 2000-block of Rocky Hill Road after receiving a drug complaint.

ECSO said a vehicle was seen in the driveway when deputies arrived, but the license plate information did not match the vehicle description.

Deputies made contact with a resident, Charles A. Rector, 28, of Smiths Grove at the front door of the property and immediately detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence, according to police.

Police said Rector denied having any marijuana and did not consent to a search of the property. Deputies advised Rector that he would be detained while they worked to obtain a search warrant. ECSO said Rector became irate and attempted to run back inside the residence, but he was placed in handcuffs without incident. The sheriff’s office said it received a search warrant for the property, which resulted in the discovery of marijuana plants, suspected methamphetamine, suspected buprenorphine, several forms of drug paraphernalia usually used for trafficking drugs, an AR-15 rifle, a Glock pistol, one sawed-off shotgun, cash and a debit card.

Rector was charged with cultivate in marijuana (five plants or more), first offense, trafficking in marijuana (between eight ounces to five pounds), first offense, trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (greater than or equal to two GMS methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (greater than or equal to 10 D.U. drug unspecified), drug paraphernalia—buy/possess and possession of a defaced firearm.

Rector was also discovered to have one active Edmonson County bench warrant and two active Warren County bench warrants for unrelated charges.

According to police, while deputies were on scene to use the search warrant at this property, law enforcement observed two pickup trucks, one white and one green, pull into the driveway of the residence, quickly stop, back up and leave. Deputies followed in a marked patrol vehicle. The white pick-up pulled in front of the green and sped up. The green vehicle stopped, while the white truck kept driving. Deputies chased the white vehicle to the 3000- block of Hayes Lodge Road, where it stopped.

Deputies identified the driver of the white truck as Harold K. Hendrick, 54, of Smiths Grove. Hendrick complied with all commands from law enforcement, and when asked if he had weapons, he stated he had a knife in a pocket, according to police.

Deputies had Hendrick exit the vehicle to frisk for weapons, which resulted in the discovery of a pocketknife, an unlabeled pill bottle with suspected Percocet, suspected methamphetamine and a large sum of cash.

Hendrick was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (drug unspecified), trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (drug unspecified) and obstructed vision and/or windshield.

Both Rector and Hendrick were lodged in Hart County Jail.