Grand jury indicts 3 on cocaine trafficking charges

Three Hardin County men have been indicted into circuit court for conspiracy to traffic in powder cocaine that police believe originated in Colombia.

Joshua Rogers, 33, of Radcliff, Darren A. Deckard, 31, and Maher Najjar, 24, both of Elizabethtown, face one count each of conspiracy to commit first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance — 4 grams or more of cocaine.

According to the indictment, the men “committed overt acts that include, but are not limited to, arranging for the delivery of approximately 300 grams of cocaine.”

The three men were arrested Dec. 14 after investigators with the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force uncovered 300 grams of cocaine, police said.

Through their investigation, police determined the cocaine originated in Bogata, Colombia, according to the Task Force.

The three men remain lodged in Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of $75,000 cash bonds. They are scheduled to appear today for arraignment in Hardin Circuit Court.

According to court records, Najjar is under a U.S. immigration detainer.

Rogers, Deckard and Najjar face Class C felonies punishable by five to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to Kentucky Revised Statutes.

An indictment is an allegation, not proof of guilt. The defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

Other indictments:

• Terrell L. Matthews, 29, trafficking in marijuana — less than 8 ounces and second or subsequent offense, four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor;n Maxwell F. White, 22, driving under the influence — fourth offense and aggravated;
• James Jonathan Duke, 36, driving under the influence of intoxicants, no insurance, operating on a suspended license and 10 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment;
• Thomas M. Tucker, 18, custodial interference and third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor;
• Laura J. Stinson, 35, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument;
• Justin Anthony Harvey, 21, theft by unlawful taking — automobile and theft by unlawful taking less than $500;
• Joshua Paul Lynch, 32, theft by unlawful taking more than $500 but less than $10,000, and second-degree persistent felony offense;
• David LaShawn Shumake, 39, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse;
• Thomas B. Buchannan, 42, complicity to manufacture methamphetamine — second or subsequent offense, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree persistent felony offense;
• Russell A. Walling, 24, second-degree assault;
• Matthew W. Goodlett, 34, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine;
• Shane H. Priddy, 27, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine, and second-degree possession of a controlled substance — hydrocodone;
• Jared N. Hart, 46, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — oxycodone, third-degree possession of a controlled substance — Alprazolam, driving under the influence and operating on a suspended license;
• Zachary C. Krueger, 25, receiving stolen property more than $500 but less than $10,000, driving under the influence and no license;
• Eric John Simondiski, 32, third-degree burglary;
• Gregory Shafer, 35, three counts of receiving stolen property more than $500 but less than $10,000, and theft by unlawful taking more than $500 but less than $10,000.

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