Clinton County Sheriff Jim Guffey has reported to the Clinton County News a host of activities from his office that have resulted in arrests regarding illegal drug activity as well as the recovery of stolen merchandise in a separate case.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department have received several traffic complaints along with suspicions of drug activity in recent weeks in the Piney Woods area of Clinton County.

On September 7, 2015, Sheriff Jim Guffey, along with Chief Deputy David Bookout, Deputy Rodney Shelton and constables Andy Butler and Rick Stearns, conducted a “knock and talk” at a residence in Piney Woods.

Consent to search the residence was obtained by Guffey and upon searching the residence, an indoor starter grow operation along with some mature marijuana plants on the premises were found.

After an extensive search, chemicals for the manufacturing of methamphetamine as well as a small quantity of meth was found. Also found during the search was a small amount of dried marijuana and drug paraphernalia. All of the drug related items were seized by the sheriff’s department and sent to the Kentucky State Police laboratory for analysis.

William T. Brown, 58, and Bertha L. Mitchell were arrested and both were charged with the following charges: Manufacturing methamphetamine; first offense; possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, first offense; cultivating marijuana less than five plants, first offense; possession of marijuana; possession/use of a radio that sends/receives police messages; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

With all the charges combined, both were charged with two felony counts each, and four misdemeanor charges.

Both Brown and Mitchell were lodged in the Clinton County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing for the sheriff’s department.

Last week, the sheriff’s department received a tip on several stolen items including a 20-foot trailer belonging to Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong as well as a Bobcat belonging to Lonnie Melton.

According to a press release issued by Guffey, the Bobcat had been stolen sometime last year with the trailer being stolen this year.

Sheriff Guffey, along with Cumberland County Sheriff Scot Daniels, Metcalfe County Sheriff Ronald Shirley, Barren County Sheriff Kent Keen, Clinton County Constable Rick Stearns and Kentucky State Police Trooper Bobby Maxwell, traveled to Metcalfe County to locate the stolen property.

During the investigation, a stolen Honda Shadow motorcycle, a John Deere hay rack and several other items were also recovered.

No arrests were made in this particular case at this time and the investigation continues.