Eight people ages 23-61 are facing a long list of drug-related charges following the execution of a search warrant Tuesday morning on Raintree Drive. The search resulted in the discovery of meth labs, numerous other types of drugs, and the theft of prescription medicine, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a release, members of the DCSO Special Investigations, General Investigations, K-9, and Patrol units executed the search warrant at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the 3800 block of Raintree Drive on the west side of Owensboro.
The investigation was initiated as a result of citizen complaints of a drug trafficking operation at the residence of Pamela Bartimus, 61, according to Sheriff Brad Youngman.
“Prior to obtaining the search warrant, several undercover controlled buys were made by detectives,” Youngman said. “Multiple people were at the residence upon DCSO’s arrival, and investigators encountered suspects that were living in the garage of the home as well as in a tent and shed in the backyard.”
According to the release, during the search of the residence, several prescription drug bottles were located with people’s names on them who were not present at the residence.
“Further investigation determined that Pamela Bartimus (was) an employee of (Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Kentucky) and had been stealing medication through her employment,” the release says. “The stolen items included boxes of medical supplies, fentanyl patches, several bottles of liquid morphine, Trazadone, Flexeril, and numerous other prescription medications with at least 10 different patient names on them.”
Youngman said Hospice Care representatives were very cooperative with detectives and came to the residence to assist with the investigation. He said they confirmed that Bartimus should not have had any of those items in her possession.
“Additional evidence seized from the residence included remnants of seven ‘one pot’ methamphetamine labs, numerous items used to manufacture methamphetamine (pseudoephedrine blister packs, iodized salt, drain cleaner, etc.), methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, synthetic marijuana, liquid morphine, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, xylocaine, Percocet 15 mg, Flexeril, and loaded syringes,” according to the release.
Youngman said Kentucky State Police detectives took control of the meth labs to ensure safe disposal and safety of personnel on scene.
Multiple arrest warrants were also served on suspects at the scene.
According to the release, during the execution of the search warrant, a pit bull owned by the occupants of the home attacked a deputy who was stationed near the rear of the residence.
“At the same time, two suspects ran towards the deputy from a shed in the backyard. While attempting to gain control of the two suspects, the deputy shot the pit bull for his protection as well as the protection of his K9 partner and (to stop) the attack,” the release says. “Repeated warnings and commands were given prior to force being used but went unheeded. There was no signage posted indicating that an aggressive dog was present. Daviess County Animal Control responded to the scene and took control of the injured pit bull.”
Youngman said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are anticipated.
All parties listed below were charged and transported to the Daviess County Detention Center, according to DCSO.
DCSO listed the following charges:
Pamela D. Bartimus, age 61, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Possession Controlled Substances, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Opiates)
- Possession Controlled Substances, 1st Degree (Fentanyl)
- Illegal Possession of Legend Drug
- Theft By Unlawful Taking Controlled Substances Under $10,000
- Theft of Legend Drug — 2nd Offense or Value $300
Luke T. Bartimus, age 38, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (> or = 2 gms Meth)
- Manufacturing Methamphetamines — 1st Offense
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Daviess County District Court Capias Warrant on:
- Failure to Produce Insurance Card
James D. Taylor, age 23, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (> or = 2 gms Meth)
- Manufacturing Methamphetamines, 1st Offense
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Harboring a Vicious Animal
Joshywa E. Reece, age 34, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Trafficking in Synthetic Drugs — 2nd or Subsequent Offense (2 counts)
- Possession Controlled Substances, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Possession of Synthetic Drugs — 2nd or Subsequent Offense
- Possession of Controlled Substances, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Opiates)
- Illegal Possession of Legend Drug
- Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Drug Unspecified)
Virgil R Young, age 49, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
Jerri B. White, age 39, of the 3800 block of Raintree Drive
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Possession Controlled Substances, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Opiates)
- Illegal Possession of Legend Drug
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Drug Unspecified)
Eddie E. Barrows, age 39, of the 700 block of Stone Street
- Possession Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree (Drug Unspecified)
- Possession of Synthetic Drugs — 2nd or Subsequent Offense
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Opiates)
- Illegal Possession of Legend Drug
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Drug Unspecified)
- Daviess County District Court Capias Warrant on:
- TBUT or Shoplifting
- Daviess County District Court Arrest Warrant on:
- Assault in the 4th Degree (Minor Injury)
- Daviess County District Court Failure to Appear Warrant on:
- TBUT or Shoplifting
- Daviess County Circuit Court Failure to Comply w/ Restitution Warrant on:
- Assault under Extreme Emotional Disturbance
- Daviess County Circuit Court Failure to Appear Warrant on:
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Possession of Synthetic Drugs — 1st Offense
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
Katherine R. Johnson, age 37, of the 300 block of Whittier Drive
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Drug Paraphernalia — Buy/Possess
- Possession of Synthetic Drugs — 2nd or Subsequent Offense
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Opiates)
- Illegal Possession of Legend Drug
- Possession Controlled Substance, 1st Degree — 1st Offense (Drug Unspecified)
- Daviess County District Court Arrest Warrant on:
- TBUT or Shoplifting $500 < $1000
- Criminal Trespassing, 2nd Degree
- Spencer County Indiana Warrant on:
- Violation of Probation
