Cecilia man faces drug trafficking charge

A Cecilia man is charged with trafficking after state police found more than $2,500 cash and 13 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

MITCHELL

Joseph A. Mitchell Jr., 29, is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance — second or subsequent offense, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — third or greater offense, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, operating on a suspended operator’s license, failure to produce insurance card and failure to give signal.

According to a news release, KSP Post 4 in Elizabethtown received a call at 3:22 a.m. reporting reckless driving near the 99-mile marker on Interstate 65.

Police said the vehicle was described as a maroon passenger car and was reported to have exited at the 94-mile marker in Elizabethtown.

Post 4 spokesman Norman Chaffins said Trooper Bryan Washer was in that area and spotted a maroon passenger car on Ring Road. According to Chaffins, the vehicle’s license plate matched the one reported to state police.

Washer stopped the vehicle after Mitchell failed to use a turn signal while changing lanes, Chaffins said.

When Mitchell was unable to produce insurance and a driver’s license, Chaffins said that led to further investigation, leading to seizure of more than $2,500 cash, 13 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun.

“That amount (of methamphetamine) indicates to us it’s trafficking,” he said.

Chaffins said he could not release how the methamphetamine was packaged but added the amount of cash in Mitchell’s vehicle also leads police to suspect trafficking.

Previous offenses mean Mitchell’s trafficking and possession charges are Class B and Class C felonies, according to Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Because he also was in possession of a handgun, Chaffins said one or more of his charges will be enhanced if a grand jury returns an indictment.

Mitchell is lodged at the Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of a $25,000 cash bond.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today via video feed in Hardin District Court.

Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.