Three arrested at Opportunity House for marijuana trafficking

Three individuals were arrested on May 29 on drug trafficking, drug possession, paraphernalia and weapon possession charges after a complaint from employees at The Opportunity House led to a law enforcement response, according to court documents.

The citation said Paintsville Police Officer Tyler Cable made arrests after responding to the call, which was centered on one individual "walking around with a firearm on his side," although firearms are banned on the property, and discovering three individuals in a room at the facility, one of whom was hiding in the bathroom.

According to the citation, the individuals had a large amount of marijuana that appeared to be packaged for sale, alongside other drug paraphernalia and a firearm, although one individual was a convicted felon.

When Cable knocked on the apartment door, the citation said, he made contact with John Strong, 34, of Lower Street, Paintsville, and questioned him about the firearm, which Strong said was in the apartment and under his pillow. Strong then granted Cable permission to enter and retrieve the firearm, which Cable advised was not allowed on the premises, the citation said.

As he entered the apartment, Cable noticed Bobby Ward, 36, of Middle Street, Paintsville, laying on a bed and observed a "glass bowl with a wooden lid" which he said contained needles laying at Ward's feet, according to the citation. Cable also noticed a "water bottle with a rubber hose sticking out of the top of the lid" on a counter in the room and a black backpack, the citation said, as well as a black backpack with another container inside, which Ward admitted was his. Ward gave Cable permission to search the container, the citation said.

Ward advised Cable that there was "just a little marijuana" in the container, but Cable found what he called a "large amount of marijuana," alongside individual plastic bags with more marijuana and empty bags, as well as approximately $610 in cash, according to the citation. The container also held a "smoking pen," the citation said, which Ward said was used for "smoking the dabs" that were in another plastic container in the bag. Ward also had a set of "brass knuckles" on his person, Cable said in the citation.

Johnson County Sheriff's Deputy Jesse Owens, who was assisting at the scene, opened the bathroom door of the apartment, the citation said, and discovered the third individual, Kenneth Dixon, 38, of Middle Fork, Hagerhill, hiding.

The citation said Dixon had three active warrants in Johnson County at the time of the incident and that Strong and Ward were asked if anyone else was in the apartment and were told no. Dixon stated that he knew he had warrants and that he was "just stupid for not coming on out of the bathroom."

All three individuals were charged with first-offense trafficking in marijuana (greater than eight ounces but less than five pounds), delivering or manufacturing drug paraphernalia, second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension and third-degree possession of a controlled substance and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.