Internal investigation leads to arrest of human trafficking suspect in Kentucky prison

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) – Numerous Kentucky law enforcement agencies were able to foil an alleged plot to smuggle narcotics into a Kentucky prison.

In a press release Tuesday, the Powell County Detention Center announced that both Rex White and Antwan Earsery were arrested for their roles in the smuggling plot.

The detention center said Teddy Lacy, a PCDC prison guard, worked with local law enforcement, uncovered the plot and worked to intercept the incoming contraband.

According to the press release, a vehicle driven by Earsery was stopped and searched on Mountain Parkway. After the search, he was arrested and charged with trafficking in controlled substances and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

White was already in custody and was charged with the following:

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• First degree willful endangerment
• First degree fleeing or eluding police (motor vehicle)

“We’re just doing our job,” Lacy said. “But I want to be very clear: If you try to bring drugs or other contraband into our facility, we will catch you. And if we do, you will face prosecution and all consequences under the law.”

Lacy cited his commitment to maintaining the facility’s rehabilitation goal.

“We work hard to run a great facility here. We don’t just want to house people until they finish their sentence; we want to see them turn their lives around. So anyone trying to thwart someone’s success by bringing contraband into the Powell County Detention Center should think twice before trying it,” he added.

In closing, Lacy praised and acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in the arrests.

“I can’t say enough about our staff and the collaboration with our local departments. Officer Ryan Smith, Lt. Ian Morton, Chief Grant Faulkner of Stanton PD, Trooper Jordan Barnett and Sheriff Danny Rogers worked together to make this a success. Powell County got it done today,” he concluded.

“We are fortunate to work in an environment where this type of collaboration can occur so smoothly and with such quick response times. This type of teamwork makes all the difference, and that was the case today,” said Morton, a lieutenant with the Stanton Police Department.