Published: July 07, 2009 12:07 pm         

Drug investigation Two officers escape injury when rifle discharges at scene

Monticello — A local man was arrested on drug-related charges, following the

execution of a search warrant in the Bugwood community of Wayne County on

Friday, June 26. Money, marijuana and weapons were seized during the search,

and two officers, including a Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy, were nearly

shot after a 12 gauge shotgun that was booby-trapped discharged.

John Preston, 66, was arrested on a warrant for two counts of wanton

endangerment, cultivating marijuana over five plants, trafficking in

marijuana over five pounds, and criminal possession of a destructive device

or booby-trap device.

According to information released by David Gilbert, Director of the Lake

Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, one of the officers was a Wayne County

Deputy and the other was a Somerset Police Officer who was assigned

full-time to the Drug Task Force. The officer's names have not been

released.

Gilbert said they were attempting to remove a shotgun from numerous

other firearms inside a gun cabinet at Preston's residence, when it

discharged. A string had been attached to the trigger mechanism of a

full-cocked 12 gauge shotgun.

The discharge of the shotgun ripped a hole in the top of the cabinet and

the ceiling of the residence, only missing the officers by inches, according

to Gilbert. Both officers were examined by Wayne County EMS and later

transported to the local hospital by Sheriff Charles Boston. They were

examined for hearing damage and other injuries and were released.

Gilbert said the initial execution of the search warrant into the

residence on Highway 674 was without incident. Preston was asked by Drug

Task Force Case Agent Warren King and a Kentucky State Police Eradication

Officer if there were any booby-traps, dangerous chemicals, or any other

hazards in the residence or on the property that officers could encounter.

Preston told both officers, at separate times, there were no booby-traps,

hazards or other dangers on the premises that any of the officers would

encounter.

Agents seized over $34,000, which was concealed in a farm silo at the

residence and approximately six pounds of processed marijuana. Numerous

marijuana plants from two plots were eradicated by the Kentucky Army

National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service Aerial Unit, USFS K-9 unit and a

Kentucky State Police eradication team.

The plants, along with the processed marijuana, have an estimated value

of $57,500.

Gilbert noted that a federal task force agent, with the ATF, was on the

scene during the search warrant execution.

Preston was arrested on Monday, June 29. He was lodged in the Wayne

County Detention Center on $100,000 cash bond.

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.