Joseph Craig

Stephanie Craig

Local, area and state law enforcement agencies continue to make arrests in their effort on the war against drugs in Albany and Clinton County.

Clinton County Sheriff Jeff Vincent, during a brief interview with the Clinton County News, offered his perspective on the current drug trafficking problem in Clinton County, putting at least a portion of the problem on the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting orders regarding court appearances and jail sentences that have been mandated by court officials.

“We got more than two ounces of meth,” Sheriff Jeff Vincent said. “Ms. Stockton was in the paper four or five weeks ago. The drug problem, not only here, but across the state, is worsening and in my opinion it’s due to the administrative offices of the courts.”

Vincent said the courts are releasing drug offenders with very little or no bonds.

He added that the lenient punishment appears to be a result of orders and directives that have been sent to the local level from higher court judges as well as from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

“Every citizen should call their congressman or representative or anybody they can think of and voice their displeasure with those orders,” Vincent said.

During the past week, the following drug-related arrests have been reported to the Clinton County News.

Joseph Craig, 45, of Albany, Kentucky, was arrested on March 12, by Clinton County Deputy Sheriff David Bookout.

Craig was charged with: trafficking controlled substance 1st degree, 2nd offense, or more over two grams of meth; trafficking controlled substance 1st degree, 2nd offense or more, drug unspecified; trafficking marijuana, eight oz. up to five pounds, 2nd offense or more; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Craig was lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Stephanie Craig, 40, of Albany, Kentucky, was arrested on March 12 by deputy David Bookout.

Craig was charged with trafficking controlled substance 1st degree, 2nd offense or more over 2 grams of meth; trafficking controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd offense or more drug unspecified; trafficking marijuana, eight oz. up to five pounds, 2nd offense or more; possession of drug paraphernalia; also had a bench warrant out of Clinton District Court for failure to appear.

Craig was lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Jennifer Stockton, 44, of Byrdstown, Tennessee, was arrested on March 12 by Clinton County Sheriff Jeff Vincent.

Stockton was charged with trafficking controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd offense or more over two grams of meth; trafficking controlled substance ,1st degree, 2nd offense or more, drug unspecified; trafficking marijuana, eight oz. up to five pounds, 2nd offense or more; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clinton County Deputy Sheriff Chris McGuffin assisted in the arrest and was also injured in the encounter. An investigation is continuing.

Stockton was lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Rocky Maschino, 58 years old, of Celina, Tennessee, was arrested on March 13 by deputy Jose Lagos.

Maschino was charged with possession of a controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd offense (meth); criminal trespassing 3rd degree.

Maschino was lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Rocky Maschino

Jennifer Stockton