An Evarts man faces drug charges following an alleged incident on a bridge near Dairy Queen in Harlan.
Larry Wilkerson, 53, was arrested by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Brewer on Thursday evening.
According to the citation, a complaint was received concerning a man approaching people at Dairy Queen and attempting to sell controlled substances. Brewer responded to the scene and upon arrival viewed Wilkerson talking to someone in a white vehicle on the bridge past Dairy Queen.
The citation states Brewer made contact with Wilkerson on the bridge.Brewer asked Wilkerson if he had anything in his pockets. Wilkerson then placed his hands behind his back and threw something off the bridge. Brewer checked the embankment below and located a small baggie. The baggie contained six oblong blue pills believed to be Xanax as well as four small green round bills with the marking K8. These are believed to be oxycodone.
Wilkerson was placed under arrest at approximately 7 p.m. and transported to the Harlan County Detention Center.
Wilkerson was charged with tampering with physical evidence, first degree possession of a controlled substance and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
In other police activity, the Kentucky State Police arrested five individuals on charges related to the theft of property belonging to Cumberland Coal in Whitesburg.
According to a press release from KSP Post 13 in Hazard, a complaint was received at approximately 1:25 a.m. concerning a theft in progress at the Cumberland Coal mine in Whitesburg. The company advised a copper theft had occurred at the site about a week ago and the same vehicle had returned to the property. Troopers responded to the scene, located the vehicle and five individuals. Property belonging to the Cumberland Coal was found in their possession.
The release states all property taken was returned to the company.
Gary W. Smith, 56, David K. Hall, 30, James O. Fields, 38, Belinda Hall, 49, and Tonda M. Adams, 44, were each charged with theft by unlawful taking over $500 and second-degree criminal trespass. Smith was additionally charged with being a persistent felony offender and Hall was also charged with possession of a controlled substance not in the proper container. Adams was also charged with first-degree criminal mischief.
All five were lodged in the Letcher County Jail.
The incident is still under investigation by Det. Chris Collins.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com


















