Graves Co Sheriff’s Office Press Release: As part of a continuing investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Sperry, officials continued their search that shifted over and into an area of Bell Road in Graves County near the Marshall County line.
Sheriff’s deputies accompanied by k-9 teams located an underground bunker that was occupied by a wanted person.
At around noon on Tuesday, K-9 teams and Graves sheriff’s detectives were searching a densely wooded area near the Bell Road and Dooms Chapel Road intersection. K-9’s alerted to an area in the woods there. A closer examination of the ground revealed a tunnel dug out into a large underground room.
Graves Sheriff’s Deputy Brooke Nelms went down into the bunker type hole and discovered a living quarters underground, as well as a man hiding inside.
The man was identified as being 41 year old Earnest Dean Hendrickson of the Symsonia area. Hendrickson became a fugitive last November. He was on parole for Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft of Anhydrous Ammonia with the intent to Manufacture Meth, 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as additional convictions, in Graves, Lyon, McCracken, and Marshall counties. He was paroled from prison on 04-26-18.
The Parole Warrant states that he violated the terms of his parole for the following reasons:
1) Absconding parole supervision
2) Failure to complete treatment for substance abuse.
3) Use of controlled substances (Meth)
4) Use of controlled substance (Marijuana)
5) Use of alcohol
6) Failure to report to parole officer.
After the arrest warrant was issued for Hendrickson last November, law enforcement officials have attempted to locate Hendrickson at a Bell Road residence which was listed as his address. The residence belongs to a close relative and is located several hundred yards from the wooded area where the underground bunker was found.
Two way radio equipment was found underground in the living quarters and is believed to have been the method of communication he used with people at the Bell Road residence for reasons related to his attempt to evade capture. Other drug related items were also recovered. Food, clothing and other related items were also found.
A second smaller underground type bunker was located a short distance from the 1st one an hour or so later.
A large quantity of Methamphetamine was found hidden in this same wooded area several months ago by authorities.
The investigation is continuing.
Earnest Dean Hendrickson was transported to the Mayfield Police Department and interviewed by detectives with Graves County Sheriff’s Office, Mayfield Police, and Kentucky State Police.
He was then lodged at the Graves County Jail.
At around noon on Tuesday, K-9 teams and Graves sheriff’s detectives were searching a densely wooded area near the Bell Road and Dooms Chapel Road intersection. K-9’s alerted to an area in the woods there. A closer examination of the ground revealed a tunnel dug out into a large underground room.
Graves Sheriff’s Deputy Brooke Nelms went down into the bunker type hole and discovered a living quarters underground, as well as a man hiding inside.The man was identified as being 41 year old Earnest Dean Hendrickson of the Symsonia area. Hendrickson became a fugitive last November. He was on parole for Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft of Anhydrous Ammonia with the intent to Manufacture Meth, 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as additional convictions, in Graves, Lyon, McCracken, and Marshall counties. He was paroled from prison on 04-26-18.
The Parole Warrant states that he violated the terms of his parole for the following reasons:
1) Absconding parole supervision
2) Failure to complete treatment for substance abuse.
3) Use of controlled substances (Meth)
4) Use of controlled substance (Marijuana)
5) Use of alcohol
6) Failure to report to parole officer.
After the arrest warrant was issued for Hendrickson last November, law enforcement officials have attempted to locate Hendrickson at a Bell Road residence which was listed as his address. The residence belongs to a close relative and is located several hundred yards from the wooded area where the underground bunker was found.
Two way radio equipment was found underground in the living quarters and is believed to have been the method of communication he used with people at the Bell Road residence for reasons related to his attempt to evade capture. Other drug related items were also recovered. Food, clothing and other related items were also found.
A second smaller underground type bunker was located a short distance from the 1st one an hour or so later.
A large quantity of Methamphetamine was found hidden in this same wooded area several months ago by authorities.
The investigation is continuing.
Earnest Dean Hendrickson was transported to the Mayfield Police Department and interviewed by detectives with Graves County Sheriff’s Office, Mayfield Police, and Kentucky State Police.
He was then lodged at the Graves County Jail.