Rachel Baldwin | Daily News

David Hairston, 32, of Watkins Street in East Williamson, is pictured following his arrest on crack cocaine charges, among others. To the defendants left is MCSD Deputy K. Ball, and to his right are Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum and WPD Chief C.D. Rockel, who also serves as the Mingo County Drug Task Force Commander.

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Rachel Baldwin

Staff Writer

EAST WILLIAMSON — A criminal investigation that began with two defendants being arrested on charges of theft from a vehicle (over $1,000) and criminal mischief in Pike County, Ky. soon led to a search warrant and a drug bust on Watkins Street in East Williamson.

According to Williamson City Police Chief (WPD) C.D. Rockel, who also serves as Mingo County Drug Task Force Commander, his department was contacted by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentucky State Police after they had been provided with information that a television stolen from the Sweet Dreams Hotel (formerly Super 8) located at Goody, Ky., by Linda Stewart, 34, of Aflex, Ky. and Brent Roberts, 49, of Beauty, Ky., was at an East Williamson residence. A tip had also been called into the WPD alleging that drugs were being sold from the Watkins Street home. A search warrant was obtained and the stolen property, along with $3,000 worth of crack cocaine that was packaged and ready for distribution was discovered.

David Hairston, 32, was taken into custody by members of the WPD and the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department on charges of possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (crack cocaine), and possession with intent to deliver a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone), as well as possession of stolen property. The defendant is no stranger to the judicial system, having served time in jail on more than one occasion in the past for similar crimes.

“We want people to understand that the large amount of drug arrests and indictments we’ve had here in Mingo County over the course of the past couple of months is only the beginning,” stated Chief Rockel. “With the county drug task force team now in place, Sheriff Crum and I plan to use their knowledge, wisdom and experience to continue to fight drugs. We have no plans to stop.”

“We have a great group of guys that are dedicated to the cause,” remarked Sheriff Crum. “We are continuing to make tremendous strides toward cutting the number of drug dealers who in the past, were operating from one end of our county to another. We know have officers in place that know what to look for. That’s what teamwork is all about.”

“I made a promise to the residents of this county that if they would elect me to the office of sheriff, I would concentrate on drug cases. I have proudly kept my promise.”

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Rockel. “If we can help curb drug traffic it will reduce the overall crime rate by a good margin, which is our intention. We are reclaiming Mingo County, one arrest at a time.”

Hairston was remanded to the custody of the Southwestern Regional Jail on a $100,000 full-cash bond following his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Dallas Toler, who commented on the arrest by saying that each arraignment he conducts for a defendant that’s arrested on drug related charges is a definite step in the right direction.

“We all live here, and no one that I know will tell you they like living next to a drug dealer. Everyone I speak with has had nothing but positive remarks to say about the progress that’s being made, and I’m very happy to be a part of the whole process,” remarked Toler.