KSP

Press release

LIBERTY — A routine traffic stop on Sunday led to the arrest of two people on drug charges in Casey County.

The driver, Jason Luttrell, 34, and his passenger, Hope Nicole Dempsey, 33, both of Liberty, were stopped by Kentucky State Police Trooper Billy Begley for not wearing seatbelts during a regular patrol on Junior Murphy Road Sunday afternoon.

Luttrell gave consent to search and law enforcement officers found a syringe in Luttrell’s pocket. In the vehicle, a small bag of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and an unidentified pill were found. A search of Dempsey’s purse located a syringe and a glass smoke pipe with residue inside.

Both subjects were placed under arrest and taken to the Casey County Detention Center. When Begley arrived at the jail, he found two more small bags of suspected meth in the back seat of his vehicle that weren’t there prior to the couple’s arrest.

Luttrell was charged with no seatbelts; driving under the influence of intoxicants; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, meth; tampering with physical evidence; first-degree promoting  contraband; no driver’s insurance and second-degree wanton endangerment of an officer. Later he was also charged with probation violation for a felony and parole violation for a felony.

Dempsey was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, meth; tampering with physical evidence; resisting arrest and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Begley was assisted by the Casey County Sheriff’s office and a Casey County constable.