Times Journal

Posted December 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm

Dustin Stephens, age 24, of Jamestown, was arrested a week ago Thursday, November 21 and charged with two counts of receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of numerous items from a sheriff’s department truck.

Deputy Sheriff Clete McAninch reported that an AR-15 rifle, tactical vest, door battering ram and other items were taken from the vehicle assigned to Deputy Bobby Pritchard of the Russell County Sheriff’s Department.

The incident occurred sometime Wednesday night, November 20, said investigating officer McAninch, while the vehicle was parked at Prichard’s home on John Street in the Barnard Ridge community.

An intensive investigation and questioning around the neighborhood led police to 435 East Cumberland Avenue in Jamestown where many of the items were found. At this point McAninch says all but a few small items were recovered.

Stephens was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

The investigation into the incident continues by the Russell County Sheriff’s Department and further arrests may be forthcoming.

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Russell County High School experienced a drug sweep last Wednesday, November 20 by the Kentucky State Police with good results.

With the aid of multiple canine officers, police conducted a sweep of the parking lot and locker area with only one “hit” and that being just residue and led to no action.

The exercise was not prompted by any incident, said Russell County School Superintendent Michael Ford, but rather an effort to keep our schools safe.

“It’s really just a continuation of our Safe Schools initiative,” said Ford.

“We just wanted to have a proactive approach and let the kids and community know we are serious about drugs.”

Ford said he was unsure how long it’s been since the last time they’ve done this, but that he knows it hasn’t been for a number of years.

Expressing an appreciation for KSP cooperating with the school system in conducting the sweep, Ford said the dogs are led through while students are in class so there isn’t interaction between the canines and the students.

Additionally, the sweep took place at a time when the alternative school and NJROTC were at lunch so besides a full sweep of lockers and parking lot, they were able to sweep that building.

“It lets kids know we’re not going to tolerate it, that we are going to address it, and I think it sends a good message to the community,” Ford said.