Four arrested in Pulaski part of Lake Cumberland WMA

(Commonwealth Journal) – Four Pulaski Countians were arrested Monday night on drug-related charges after being discovered in the Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.

Jessica Rose Banghart, 29, of Somerset; Whitney Nashea Phelps, 31, of Science Hill; Donald Lee Rose, 30, of Somerset; and Ernest Eugene Young, 30, of Somerset, were each charged with Public Intoxication from a controlled substance (excluding alcohol).

The charges stem from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer Jerrod Alley discovering a 2005 Chevrolet parked up a creek bottom off Hall Ridge Road near Clifty Creek Road around 6:20 p.m. According to Alley, vehicles are not to be anywhere within the WMA other than maintained roadways or parking areas. While approaching the vehicle, Ofc. Alley noticed the odor of marijuana and observed other items in plain view to warrant further investigation.

All four allegedly admitted using drugs prior to the officer’s arrival. Ofc. Alley ran their names for warrants, then obtained consent to search the car and found marijuana, meth, syringes, pipes and rolling papers. He reported that children were swimming in the creek less than 100 yards away.

Rose was additionally charged with operating off the roadway without consent in the WMA. Young’s other charges included first-degree possession of a controlled substance (first offense, methamphetamine), possession of marijuana and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was served with outstanding warrants charging him with trafficking in marijuana, drug possession and contempt of court as well. Banghart also had five active warrants, including charges for bail jumping, contempt of court and failure to appear.

All were lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center, where Young and Phelps remained at press time.

Young is scheduled to be arraigned in Pulaski Circuit Court on September 20 for the prior drug possession indictment, while Banghart will be arraigned there for bail jumping on September 27. Rose and Phelps are scheduled to be arraigned for the public intoxication charges in Pulaski District Court on September 12.