DCSO: 5 facing drug, weapon charges after Thursday searches; 2k fentanyl pills, armor-piercing ammo found

Five people, all between the ages of 20 and 27, are facing drug- and weapon-related charges after search warrants were executed Thursday morning following a long-term investigation, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. According to DCSO, two infants were also present at one of the locations during the search warrant execution. 

Sheriff Brad Youngman said DCSO detectives with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) executed search warrants at multiple locations in Owensboro during the morning hours Thursday. Search locations included the 700 block of Elm Street and the 2200 block of West 9th Street.

“These warrants were the result of a long-term SIU investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking and firearms-related criminal activity,” Youngman said. “During the investigation, it was determined that one of the locations posed a higher risk due to a history of firearms-related incidents at the address, so the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team was requested to make secure entry at the location. This extra precaution was taken not just for the safety of DCSO personnel but also for the safety of nearby residents as well as any suspects inside the residence.” 

Youngman said, “Several types of illegal drugs and stolen firearms were recovered during the search of these locations including a high-powered AR-style rifle loaded with ammunition that is capable of piercing body armor. Each location also exhibited indicators of large-scale drug trafficking operations. The drugs recovered included approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills, marijuana, methamphetamine, and various drug paraphernalia.”

The searches and arrests are part of an ongoing investigation and additional charges are expected in the future, Youngman said.

According to a DCSO release, suspects and their charges are as follows:

Dionte Brown, 20 years old, 700 block of Elm Street

1. Aggravated Trafficking in a Controlled Substance > 28 grams Fentanyl 
2. Trafficking Marijuana 
3. Drug Paraphernalia (buy/possess)
4. Tampering with Physical Evidence
5. Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm)

Erica B. West, 27 years old, 700 block of Elm Street

1. Aggravated Trafficking in a Controlled Substance > 28 grams Fentanyl 
2. Trafficking Marijuana 
3. Drug Paraphernalia (buy/possess)
4. Tampering with Physical Evidence
5. Wanton Endangerment 2^nd Degree

Kobe Smith, 25 years old, 700 block of Elm Street

1. Aggravated Trafficking in a Controlled Substance > 28 grams Fentanyl 
2. Trafficking Marijuana 
3. Drug Paraphernalia (buy/possess)
4. Tampering with Physical Evidence
5. Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon

Iesha D. Matson, 20 years old, 2300 block of Chateaugay Place

1. Aggravated Trafficking in a Controlled Substance > 28 grams Fentanyl 
2. Trafficking Marijuana 
3. Drug Paraphernalia (buy/possess)
4. Tampering with Physical Evidence
5. Wanton Endangerment 2^nd Degree

Naraya E. Combest, 24 years old, 2900 block of McAllister Place

1. Aggravated Trafficking in a Controlled Substance > 28 grams Fentanyl 
2. Trafficking Marijuana 
3. Drug Paraphernalia (buy/possess)
4. Tampering with Physical Evidence
5. Wanton Endangerment 2^nd Degree
6. Possession of Controlled Substance 1^st Degree 1^st Offense

DCSO was assisted by several agencies in this operation, including Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch, KSP Post 16, KSP Special Operations, KSP Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations), Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland Security Investigation, United States Postal Inspector Service, and AMR.