Harlan woman allegedly lies about identity, gets arrested

Published 11:59 am Friday, November 22, 2019

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A Harlan woman was recently arrested after allegedly lying about her identity twice while being searched, which also led to an officer finding controlled substances in her possession.

Juanita Lawson, 35, was arrested by Evarts Police Department officer Jeremy Jones on Nov. 19.

According to Jones’ citation, Lawson was seen walking on Harlan Street in Evarts and matched the description of a female from an earlier complaint, who allegedly left the scene prior to his arrival.

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Lawson allegedly told the officer she did not have her identification. When Jones asked if he could search her for weapons, she dropped an oblong white pill, at which point she was detained. Jones said the pill was believed to be Neurontin.

After searching her belongings, Jones discovered a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance he believed was methamphetamine.

Jones said Lawson lied about her identity twice while he was trying to verify it through dispatch. Lawson’s real identity was confirmed through her social security number that Jones had also found in her belongings.

Lawson was charged with giving an officer false identifying information, obstructions/interference with an officer, first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), public intoxication of controlled substance (excluding alcohol), third-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified), tampering with physical evidence and three counts failure to appear.

Lawson was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with two bonds totaling $12,500 (each with 10 percent with bail credit) and a full-cash bond amount of $1,000.

In other police activity:

• Morgan Whitt, 26, of Louisville, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Nov. 15. She was charged with failure to appear, speeding (11 mph over limit), operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license, first-degree trafficking controlled substance (greater than/equal to 2 grams methamphetamine), trafficking marijuana (between 8 ounces and 5 pounds) and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on two full-cash bonds totaling $4,000;

• David Estes, 36, of Dayhoit, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Nov. 15. He was charged with two counts theft by unlawful taking (under $500), theft by unlawful taking ($500 or more but under $10,000) and six counts failure to appear. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $5,000 full-cash bond;

• Carl Howard, 20, of Putney, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on Nov. 16. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking ($500 or more but under $10,000) and failure to appear. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1,000 full-cash bond;

• Teddy Smith, 35, of Harlan, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Nov. 16. He was charged with reckless driving, operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license (DUI), failure to comply with helmet law (over age 21), failure to wear seat belts, second- and third-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified), possession of drug paraphernalia, prescription controlled substance without proper container (second offense or more), first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) and a parole violation warrant. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,500 full-cash bond;

• Lloyd Simpson, 77, of Baxter, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Nov. 17. He was charged with two counts first-degree trafficking controlled substance. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond set;

• Donald Buell, 48, of Wallins, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Nov. 18. He was charged with first-degree trafficking controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified) and prescription controlled substance without proper container. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on two full-cash bonds totaling $4,500;

• Jamie Harris, 35, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland Police Department officers on Nov. 19. He was charged with second-degree assault (domestic violence) and second-degree burglary. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,500 full-cash bond;

• Michelle Harp, 38, of Harlan, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Nov. 20. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine). She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,000 full-cash bond;

• William Sevier, 32, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Nov. 21. He was charged with three counts failure to appear, second-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on two full-cash bonds totaling $600 and a pay-or-stay amount of $158.