From the Harlan County Sheriff's Office -
On Friday, January 8, 2021 Harlan County Sheriff’s Deputies were on Patrol in the Molus area after receiving a drug trafficking complaint. Deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on US 119.
Upon making contact with the operator of the vehicle, he gave Deputies a false name and social security number. A search of the vehicle was conducted after Deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputies discovered a baggie of marijuana, a baggie containing prescription pills, $4,110 cash and several other items indicating drug trafficking.
Through further investigation, it was determined that the operator of the vehicle was 37 year old Jason Banks from Louisville and he was wanted by the United States Marshals for Escape.
He was charged with Trafficking in Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, Trafficking in Controlled Substance 2nd Degree, Trafficking in Marijuana, Operating Motor Vehicle Under the Influence, Giving Officer False Identifying Information and Improper Display of Registration Plates.
Banks was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond set. The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
Also arrested over the weekend -
On Saturday, January 9th Deputies arrested a Lynch man on two Harlan County Circuit Court Indictment Warrants.
30 year old John Mackey, was charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree, Fleeing or Evading Police 2nd Degree, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Degree (Methamphetamine), Tampering with Physical Evidence, Theft by Unlawful Taking, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree.
He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with bond set at $7,000 full cash.