K-9 unit assists in arrests

FCSO K-9 Deputy Chill poses with the narcotics and paraphernalia confiscated this weekend during two separate traffic stops.

Two different traffic stops this past weekend by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit led to the arrest of three different people and the recovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia, officials said.

James Justin Copeland, 30, 3852 Franklin 77, Russellville, was arrested on charges of first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennie Leanne James, 34, 1528 Franklin 49, Russellville, was arrested on charges of illegal possession of prohibited liquor – open container of alcohol.

James Christopher Tompkins, 42, 216 Carroll Ave NE, Russellville, was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, FCSO Deputy Jordan Seahorn and his K-9 deputy Chill conducted a traffic stop about 1 a.m. Sunday for a traffic violation on Walnut Gate Road in Russellville near the Franklin County Jail.

Oliver said when Seahorn pulled over the white Chrysler car driven by Copeland, he smelled alcohol and saw an open container of whiskey that was in the possession of the passenger, Jennie James.

Reports indicate Seahorn deployed K-9 Chill and he indicated the presence of narcotic odor in the vehicle.

“Once Chill had indicated the presence of narcotics, Seahorn and Deputy Ryan Zedrow conducted a search of the vehicle and found a large amount of marijuana, U.S. currency, materials used to weigh and package the marijuana for sale, and drug paraphernalia,” Oliver said.

He said Copeland was then arrested on the drug charges and the passenger, James, was arrested for the open container of whiskey.

The following night, Oliver said Seahorn and Chill made a separate traffic stop on a green Camaro on Madison Street near Hall Avenue in Russellville.

Oliver said the driver, identified as James Christopher Tompkins, became irate and uncooperative after being questioned about possible narcotics in his possession.

“Chill was once again deployed along with the Russellville Police Department’s K-9, and both alerted to the presence of narcotic odor in the vehicle,” Oliver said.

“Seahorn conducted a search of the vehicle and found a bag of methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia and the driver was taken into custody.”

Oliver said he was proud of the solid work by the FCSO K-9 Unit.

“Our K-9 unit is such a great asset to our office and to the people of Franklin County,” Oliver said.

“They did a great job this weekend getting these drugs off the streets.”