The Middlesboro Police Department arrested two men on methamphetamine-related charges early Monday morning.
According to their arrest citations, Charles Sikes, 36, of Middlesboro, Kentucky, and Jonathan Leach, 28, of Harrogate, were arrested shortly after 1 a.m. Monday at Hinks Heights when officers came to the complex on a tip that drug trafficking was occurring in one of the apartments.
Sikes, 36, was charged with tampering with physical evidence, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, methamphetamine, greater than 2 grams, two additional counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Leach, 28, was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and was served a bench warrant.
MPD Officer Keith Lowe reported he witnessed two males squatted down next to the back door of a residence when one male, Sikes, allegedly handed blue tablets to the other male, Leach. Lowe said that while he knocked on the glass he observed Sikes throw the blue tablets into his mouth in an attempt to dispose of them.
The citation also states Sikes allegedly had three bags of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana along with multiple small bags which they believed he was going to use to sell the marijuana. The marijuana weighed approximately .6 grams. Sikes also allegedly had methamphetamine, hydrocodone and morphine in his possession.
Police say Leach was in possession of a small bag of containing a white crystal like substance when he was found in the closet of the apartment. Leach also had a $243 pay or stay warrant which was served at the time of his arrest.
In other police news, a Hulen man was arrested by the Kentucky State Police on Sunday.
James A. Hunley, 33, was lodged into the Bell County Detention Center on Sunday afternoon after police say he committed numerous driving related crimes and endangered the welfare of of a minor. Hunley was charged with failure of owner to maintain required insurance, failure to notify address change to the department of transportation, failure to register transfer of motor vehicle, failure to produce insurance card, operating a motor vehicle under the influence with aggravating circumstances, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-302-9091 or on Twitter @ReinaDailyNews
