Paducah, Ky.–A Kenton, Tennessee man is in custody in the McCracken County Jail, charged with stealing a car in McKenzie and being in possession of meth during an early-morning arrest.
At approximately 1:47 am today, McCracken County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado with Tennessee registration for traffic violations. Deputies made contact with a female driver and a male passenger.
During the course of the investigation, deputies discovered that 42-year-old Vernon Edward Harrell of Kenton, was in possession and thought to be the owner of the vehicle. Upon making contact and running the registration through dispatch, deputies were unable to verify a record of the vehicle through NCIC (National Crime Information Center.)
According to the press release, both the driver, 43-year-old Monica Wilson, also of Tennessee, and Harrell, appeared to be nervous when speaking to deputies. Deputies continued their investigation and ultimately located a glass pipe in the passenger area of the vehicle which appeared to have residue on it. Glass pipes of this nature, especially with residue, are often used for smoking methamphetamine. A field test was completed and the pipe tested positive for methamphetamine.
Harrell was ultimately charged for illegal drug possession. Wilson was charged in a separate citation for traffic violations and released.
Further investigation led to deputies running the VIN through NCIC and discovering that the vehicle was stolen out of McKenzie. McKenzie Police Department was notified and verified that the vehicle was stolen. Harrell admitted to being in possession of the vehicle and was charged.
Harrell was lodged at the McCracken County Jail on the following charges:
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess
-Possession of a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense
(Methamphetamine)
-Receiving Stolen Property Under $10,000