The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests last week that resulted in stolen property recovered, a high speed chase and the seizure of a meth lab.

Last Tuesday, November 17, Sheriff Jim Guffey received a call from neighboring Pickett County about a motorcycle that had been stolen in Byrdstown, Tenn. Sheriff Dana Dowdy told Guffey a resident of Clinton County had contacted him about the stolen motorcycle, stating someone had sold the motorcycle to the Clinton County resident.

The Clinton County resident contacted Guffey and gave consent for Guffey to look at the motorcycle and after the VIN was checked it was discovered the motorcycle was, in fact, stolen. The motorcycle has since been returned to the owner. The value of the motorcycle was $5,000.

On the same day, Clinton County Dispatch received a call from Cumberland County advising they were in pursuit of a 2008 red Ford Fusion that was involved in a break-in.

During the pursuit, the driver of the Ford Fusion had struck Cumberland County Sheriff Scot Daniels, which resulted in a broken foot. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of Clinton County law enforcement and Guffey and Deputy Chris McGuffin aided in the pursuit.

According to the police report, the pursuit was extremely high speed, in excess of 100 miles per hour, which also resulted in several vehicles being run off the roadway.

The Ford Fusion turned onto Hwy 734 (Grider Hill Dock Road) and the pursuit continued to Grider Hill Dock Campground where the driver, Contessa Gore, of Albany, fled on foot. McGuffin pursued the driver on foot and deployed his tazer. Gore was arrested and charged with several infractions.

A search warrant was conducted of the vehicle in which numerous items were found, including stolen DVDs, coffee maker, toaster, forged prescriptions, and several controlled substances that were not in the proper containers.

Gore was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs under 21, fleeing or evading police in the first degree, operating on a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, wanton endangerment in the second degree (police officer), wanton endangerment in the second degree (six counts), failure to give or improper signal, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a forged prescription, possession of a controlled substance not in proper container (two counts), possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (drug unspecified) two counts, drug paraphernalia buy/possession, receiving stolen property under/$10,000

During an interview with Gore, is was discovered some stolen items from Cumberland County could possibly be stored at an address on East Cumberland Street in Albany.

Upon officers’ arrival, contact was made with resident Tarisha McGinnis of Albany and a consent to search was granted. Albany Police Officer Brad Cross charged McGinnis with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance not in original container, possession of a controlled substance in the second degree.

Also on Tuesday, Kentucky State Police Trooper Jason Warinner contacted Guffey and Probation Officer Matt Aaron on a possible meth lab on Groce Gibson Road in Albany KY.

Matthew Shelton, 30, and his wife Maria Shelton, 30, of Albany, were arrested on Tuesday, November 17 as a result of an investigation that was initiated by an anonymous tip.

Matthew Shelton was charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance first degree; first offense; (Meth), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Maria Shelton was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance first degree; first offense; (meth).

Around 68 grams of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $8700.00), 19 syringes, marijuana seed, scales and other miscellaneous items were recovered in a search of the couple’s residence and property on Groce Gibson Road, seven miles north of Albany. Trooper Jason Warinner is investigating and was assisted by Matt Aaron of Probation and Parole and Clinton County Sheriff Jim Guffey.

The Sheltons were arrested at approximately 3:33 p.m. and were lodged in the Clinton County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.