LAWRENCE COUNTY MAN INDICTED ON CHARGES IN JOHNSON COUNTY IN CONNECTION TO DECEMBER 2023 DUI-VEHICLE INJURIES COLLISION

A Lawrence County, Kentucky man arrested in Johnson County, KY, in December 2023 on drug trafficking offenses after a DUI-injury crash has been indicted by a Johnson County grand jury, one of nine indictments against seven individuals that were handed down from the April session of the Johnson County Grand Jury.

Thomas Chester Slone, 28, of Cains Creek Branch, of Blaine, KY., had two of his trafficking charges for marijuana and psilocybin trafficking, normally Class D felonies, however, they both each reached a Class C felony level due to firearm enhancements.

In the grand jury documents handed down on Friday, April 19, Thomas Slone was officially indicted on charges of the prohibited acts related to

• TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE (SCHEDULE 1 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, PSILOCYBIN) with a firearm enhancement;
• TRAFFICKING IN MARIJUANA (8 OZ. – 5 LBS.) 1ST OFFENSE, with a firearm enhancement, both Class C felonies punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000;
• WANTON ENDANGERMENT-FIRST DEGREE, a Class D felony punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000;
• OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (189A.010(1D) – 1ST OFFENSE, and 
• DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – BUY/POSSESS, both misdemeanors. 

If convicted, Thomas Slone could face as many as 25 years in prison.

According to the indictment, Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette stated that deputy David Duncan and deputy David Adams responded to the call of the injury crash at the mouth of Daniels Creek on December 17, 2023; and they made a “quick determination” that Thomaas Slone was under the influence. Sheriff Hazlette further stated that Thomas Slone had crossed the yellow line and struck the other vehicle, which was carrying the driver and one passenger. Both individuals were transported to Paintsville ARH for their injuries. 

“During the course of the investigation, they detected an odor of marijuana from his vehicle, which led to the discovery of a substantial amount of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia,” according to Sheriff Hazlette, who added that, in addition to the drugs, Thomas Slone also had two handguns in his possession. 

“He had some mushrooms and about eight individual bags of a variety of marijuana buds weighing about a half pound apiece. He had 82 jars of what they call dab, which is a THC-infused cream or a salve that’s got the compound in it, and some THC gummies in individual packs,” Sheriff Hazlette said. “There were also two handguns in his possession and a vacuum-sealed bag of mushrooms that I think weighed a little over a pound. He also had 462 dollars in cash and a set of scales.”

The remaining six individuals who were also indicted are named as the following:

Dustin Michael Tackett, 29, of Panther Branch, of Meally, KY., was indicted on a charge of: *BAIL JUMPING 1ST DEGREE, a Class D felony carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000. In a separate case, Dustin Tackett was indicted on charges of *POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE (METHAMPHETAMINE), a Class D felony carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000, and *PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL), a misdemeanor.

Dustin Tackett was arrested on his indictment charges on April 25, 2024; and was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, KY., in Johnson County, where he currently remains incarcerated.

Robert Lincoln Williamson II, 52, of Williams Branch, of Wittensville, KY., was indicted on a charge of *FRAUDULENT USE OF A CREDIT CARD OVER $10,000, a Class C felony that carries a penalty of five to ten years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000. Robert Williamson was also charged as a *PERSISTENT FELONY OFFENDER II.

Robert Williamson was arrested on his indictment charges on April 24, 2024; and was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center; he has since been released after posting his bond.

Danuell Marcum, 50, of Louisa, KY., was indicted on four counts of: *PROMOTING CONTRABAND – 1ST DEGREE, a Class D felony carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000.

Kristi Dawn Fletcher, 34, of Inez, KY., was indicted on charge of: *PROMOTING CONTRABAND – 1ST DEGREE; a Class D felony carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000.

Kristi Fletcher is currently incarcerated at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, and has been there since her arrest on January 5, 2024; on the promoting contraband charge, along possession of drug paraphernalia, and four separate bench court warrants.

Kenneth Bryan Cantrell, 36, of Washington Avenue, of Paintsville, KY., was indicted on a charge of:

• RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY $10,000 OR MORE; a Class C felony that carries a penalty of five to ten years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000. Kenneth Cantrell was also charged as 
• PERSISTENT FELONY OFFENDER I.

Kenneth Cantrell has been incarcerated since December 16, 2023, at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, after being arrested on the 2 charges he was later indicted on, plus five more charges, along with violating his parole.

Jackie Maynard, 50, of Bailey Road, Flat Gap, KY., was indicted on charges of:

• TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE – (> OR = 2 GRAMS METHAMPHETAMINE), a Class C felony that carries a penalty of five to ten years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000;
• POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE 1ST OFFENSE (OXYCODONE), a Class D felony carrying a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000;
• POSSEESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 2ND DEGREE (CODEINE); POSS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 3RD DEGREE and 
• DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – BUY/POSSESS; all misdemeanors.
• Jackie Maynard was also indicted on motor traffic charges, which were: 
• IMPROPER DISPLAY OF REGISTRATION PLATES,
• IMPROPER REGISTRATION PLATE,
• FAILURE TO PRODUCE INSURANCE CARD,
• NO REGISTRATION PLATES.