KENTUCKY — A Monroe County man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana and a firearm during a drug investigation connected to a Department for Community Based Services complaint.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Austin Cooke was contacted around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 by Garrett Smith with the Monroe County Department for Community Based Services and asked to accompany him to a residence on Akersville Road. Deputies attempted to make contact at the home but received no response.
While checking the garage area, Deputy Cooke reported detecting a strong odor of marijuana and observed what appeared to be marijuana stems and residue in plain view, along with multiple plastic bags containing marijuana. Later that day, the homeowner, identified as Danny Ray Russell, returned to the residence.
Authorities said Russell admitted to smoking marijuana while speaking with DCBS. He was arrested and lodged in the Barren County Detention Center on a charge of trafficking in marijuana greater than five pounds, first offense.
On Dec. 27, Deputy Cooke obtained a search warrant for the residence. Deputies made contact with Russell in the front yard and read the warrant to him and two other occupants. Investigators said Russell then led deputies to a truck parked in the yard, where he began removing duffel bags and told deputies, “This is what you missed yesterday.”
Inside the vehicle, deputies located additional marijuana along with an AR-15-style rifle and several loaded magazines. More marijuana was also found elsewhere on the property. In total, authorities seized approximately 118 pounds of marijuana, as well as cash, a firearm, and related accessories.
Russell was arrested again, advised of his Miranda rights, and transported back to the Barren County Detention Center. He is charged with trafficking in marijuana greater than five pounds with an enhancement, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation remains ongoing.
