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Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

The Loyall Police Department conducted a drug roundup early on Friday that landed 13 in jail.

Loyall Police Chief Mike Lunsford gave a rundown of the morning’s activity.

“We’ve done undercover drug buys for over six months,” said Lunsford. “During the process I got at least 41 warrants. This morning we got 13 of them. We worked with Harlan County Jailer Curt Stallard, and he sent Sgt. Mike Petra down with a van and he actually assisted in the drug roundup.”

Loyall Police Officer Denny Jones assisted in the roundup.

“It was a smooth process. We didn’t have any incidents or anything like that,” said Lunsford.

According to Lunsford, “Everyone I served today had some type of drug trafficking charge.”

There are still warrants remaining to be served.

“We’ve got anywhere from seven to 10 people left to serve,” said Lunsford.

Stallard explained the circumstances that led to assisting Lunsford in the roundup.

“A few weeks ago Chief Lunsford came and saw me about doing a drug bust and asked me if we could participate in it. I thought about it a few days and I know how strapped these small cities are. They don’t have enough manpower. I thought about it a day or two and I called him back and said I would be glad to offer our assistance.”

Stallard explained he will offer assistance to other police departments.

“If requested, I wouldn’t care a bit to help more,” said Stallard. “He (Lunsford) did all the work. He did the investigation. We just helped with the raid itself and brought them to the detention center.”

Individuals arrested in Friday’s roundup include:

* Tasha Akers, 23, of Loyall, was charged with second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Eric Curry, 32, of Loyall was charged with second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Mark Farmer, 59, of Loyall was charged with two counts of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Allen Fults, 52, of Baxter, was charged with two counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Ruby Fultz, 47, of Harlan, was charged with trafficking a legend drug;

* Myrtle Graham, 57, of Loyall, was charged with two counts of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Sherry Jones, 52, of Harlan, was charged with one count of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Jason Lewis, 25, of Baxter, was charged with second-degree trafficking a controlled substance and trafficking a legend drug;

* Michael North, 35, of Harlan, was charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance;

* Lemma Owens, 36, of Baxter, was charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance;

* Brian Owens, 41, of Baxter, was charged with one count of trafficking a controlled substance and one count of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Robyn Shackleford, 46, of Loyall, was charged with one count of trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces, one count of endangering the welfare of a minor, and one count of second degree trafficking a controlled substance;

* Dustin Shackleford, 20, of Loyall, was charged with unlawful transaction with a minor illicit controlled substance, second-degree trafficking a controlled substance, trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces, endangering the welfare of a minor, and three counts of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com