Joint investigation results in multiple drug-related arrests
Published 1:19 pm Thursday, April 6, 2017
A tip received by the Lancaster Police Department spurred a joint narcotics investigation with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office that led to the arrest of three people Saturday.
After receiving information about several individuals trafficking narcotics, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Kirkpatrick and Deputy Chase Marcum joined Lancaster Drug Interdiction and K9 Officer Robbie Tudor and Kentucky State Police to investigate a residence on Land of Goshen Road where the individuals were reportedly located.
The homeowners allowed law enforcement inside the residence at about 10 p.m. on April 1 where they located 31-year-old Jason Penman – who had an outstanding warrant out of Jessamine County – in a back room, according to Marcum.
Deputies also found 28-year-old Kelli Anderson and 26-year-old Anthony Smith, both of Lancaster, in the room with Penman. According to the Lancaster Police Department’s Facebook page, the three Lancaster natives had begun staying in Lincoln County about a week before police received the tip.
“When we went into the back room there were needles, spoons with burned residue and a bunch of other stuff in plain view,” Marcum said.
After receiving written consent from the homeowners to search the residence, law enforcement agents found approximately 580 grams of synthetic marijuana, also referred to as “serenity” along with one-and-a-half grams of heroin, one-half of a gram of crystal methamphetamine and multiple prescription narcotics including xanax and oxycodone.
Marcum said more than 20 bags of “Dr. Feel Good” labeled as “potpourri” were found, along with a large bag of “ren” or “serenity” which deputies believe were being mixed together.
All three were charged with trafficking in synthetic drugs; first-degree possession of a controlled substance (heroin); first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Additional charges for the prescription pills are expected, Marcum said.
Penman was also charged with non-payment of fines. A $10,000 cash bond has been set for both Anderson and Smith. No bond has been set for Penman on the drug-related charges but a $444 cash bond has been set for non-payment of fines.