From The Laurel County Sheriff's Department -
Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's K-9 Deputy Gary Mehler arrested three individuals early Friday morning January 3, 2020 at approximately 1:59 AM on Lily School Road and on South Laurel Rd. This was following a traffic stop Deputy Mehler conducted on a black colored Nissan Altima for an equipment violation after the vehicle pulled out from a business onto US 25.
When Deputy Mehler activated his emergency equipment, the vehicle pulled off into a business parking lot and as it did the passenger in the right front of the vehicle, identified as 23 year old River William Humfleet of Lily, bailed out of the car and fled on foot toward Lily School Road from US 25. Following a lengthy foot chase of approximately 1/2 mile, Humfleet was taken into custody and found in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and three credit/debit cards not belonging to him.
Humfleet has been charged with fleeing or evading police – second-degree – on foot; trafficking in marijuana first offense; possession of drug paraphernalia; theft – receipt of stolen credit/debit card more than two cards. In addition, he was charged on a Knox Circuit Court bench warrant of arrest charging probation warrant regarding charges of receiving stolen property $10,000 or more; persistent felony offender Il; and three counts of probation violation.
Deputy Mehler then returned to the original traffic stop and conducted an investigation on the remaining two occupants. The driver identified as 24 year old Mercedes R. Cheek of London was determined to be under the influence and was found in possession of hypodermic needles. In addition, this Cheek admitted smoking meth, injecting heroin, and smoking marijuana. She was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence – first offense; rear license plate not illuminated; possession of drug paraphernalia; failure to produce insurance card; no registration receipt.
Another occupant in the vehicle, identified as 23 year old Dakota Blake Arnold of London was found to have an outstanding warrant and was charged on a Knox District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on numerous violations.
All three individuals were lodged in the Laurel County correctional center.