Sweep at Halfway House Nets Numerous Arrests

A two-month-long investigation into alleged drug trafficking at Keeton Corrections Facility has led to numerous arrests and citations this week. 

The Paducah Police Department received information in early April about drug transactions at the halfway house on Clarence Gaines Street. Detectives bought drugs from eight different men during their investigation, and identified DeAnthony Woods of Paducah as the supplier of much of the methamphetamine purchased. Detectives say Ralph Gaines, Jr., of Paducah was the outside source for the drugs. 

Detectives arranged with Woods to buy methamphetamine, and said he would have men at the halfway house deliver the drugs and collect the money. Police believe Woods brought, kept and sold drugs in the facility while still serving a sentence there. One other man facing charges is also serving a sentence at Keeton, with most of the others on parole, and two no longer living at Keeton but still in Paducah. Gaines, the supplier, was the only man charged who had no previous ties to the halfway house.

Search warrants were executed Tuesday at Keeton Corrections and at two homes - on Glenwood Court and South 13th Street - where Gaines had been staying. Those searches led to seizure of a syringe, synthetic marijuana, meth and other contraband on inmates. Other items found included knives and homemade shanks, numerous cell phones (which are contraband inside the facility), synthetic marijuana, a digital scale, syringes and assorted drug paraphernalia. At the two homes, police say they found a handgun, meth, several digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and more than $1,000, believed to be the proceeds of drug sales. 

On Tuesday, police served warrants to: 

Thirty-six-year-old Christopher Baker of Madisonville, charged with three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.

Forty-five-year-old Ray Critser of Marion, Kentucky, charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) 2nd offense, possession of synthetic marijuana, trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Twenty-seven-year-old David Jones of Madisonville, charged with trafficking in synthetic marijuana and four counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Jones was already in McCracken County Jail because he failed a drug test at the halfway house.

Twenty-eight-year-old Zachary T. Edison of Russellville, charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He had previously absconded, and was served with his warrant while jailed in Glasgow.

Thirty-two-year-old Robert Fulkerson of Bowling Green, charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was served a warrant while in McCracken County Regional Jail, since he had previously failed a drug test at the halfway house.

Thirty-two-year-old DeAnthony Woods of Paducah, charged with six counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and trafficking in synthetic marijuana. Additional charges for trafficking in methamphetamine are pending, according to police. 

Thirty-one-year-old Ralph Gaines Jr., of Paducah, charged with two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Police say Gaines has a history of drug trafficking and a prior conviction for third-degree assault.

Another man, 31-year-old Nicholas Stodghill, originally from Owensboro, was found and arrested on Wednesday on two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He had previously been released from the halfway house, but police were able to find him.

In addition to the arrests, Kentucky Probation and Parole has charged several men with violation of parole or promoting contraband, based on search warrants at Keeton Corrections Facility. They are inmates Leon Cole, Manis Young, Michael Harley, William Kelly, Michael Walling, John Jones, Johnny Howard, Michael Harley, Larry Husk, and DeAnthony Woods; parolees Jeffrey Sterner, Winston Johnson, Donny Hornsby, Dantay McCauley, Lloyd Creech, Demonte Long, Shawn Lamb, David Greer, Jeremy Tucker, Joshua Cattrell, and Ray Critser.

“The investigation into drug activity at Keeton Corrections is in response to numerous complaints of criminal activity and concerns from the surrounding neighborhood,” said Chief of Police Brian Laird. “A significant amount of time and resources has been devoted to this operation, in hopes of weeding out the bad apples in the facility and sending a message to any current and future halfway house residents that we will not tolerate individual bringing criminal activity into our community.”

Laird thanked new Keeton director Rob Estes for his cooperation and his work to clean up the facility.

The Paducah Police Department was assisted in this investigation by Keeton Corrections administration, Kentucky Probation and Parole and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.