JOHNSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY CRIME NEWS: THREE SEPARATE ARRESTS ON MAY 5
JOHNSON COUNTY, KY. MAN ARRESTED ON METH TRAFFICKING CHARGE
MAY 9, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN

DAVID LANCE STEWART.
A Johnson County, Kentucky man was arrested on a methamphetamine trafficking charge after a traffic stop, according to the Paintsville Police Department.
According to the arrest citation written by Paintsville Police Department Officer Justin Jackson, he wrote that on Tuesday, May 5, he stopped a motor vehicle in which David Lance Stewart, 48, of Stafford Street, of West Van Lear, KY., was a passenger.
Officer Jackson wrote that he gained consent to search the vehicle, he and Kentucky State Police Trooper Logan Lane and Paintsville Police Officer Michael Bell conducted the search.
While searching, officer Jackson wrote, he found a bag containing approximately 18.2 grams of a white, crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, as well as a set of digital scales and $52 in cash.
The arrest citation ended with David Stewart admitting that the methamphetamine belonged to him.
David Stewart was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on charges of
*TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE – (> OR = 2 GRAMS METHAMPHETAMINE);
*DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – BUY/POSSESS;
*FAILURE TO WEAR SEAT BELTS.——————————-
JOHNSON COUNTY KY. WOMAN ARRESTED ON CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES VIA BEING INTOXICATED

AMY DENISE WELLS.
A Johnson County, KY. woman is facing charges after she was arrested at a hospital earlier this week.
According to the arrest citation written by Paintsville Police Officer Michael Bell, on Tuesday, May 5, he was dispatched to Paintsville ARH Hospital on a report that a woman who had two juveniles with her appeared intoxicated.
Officer Bell wrote that, upon arrival, he made contact with the woman, Amy Denise Wells, 45, of Apple Street, of Thelma, KY., who was talking fast and slurring her words.
Officer Wells wrote in the citation that Amy Wells admitted to using methamphetamine prior to being transported to the hospital along with the two juveniles.
Amy Wells, according to the arrest citation, stated that “her and the kids are dead, they just don’t know it yet.”
Officer Bell wrote further in the arrest citation that Amy Wells admitted that she had left two other children at home, and that she showed no concern for any of the juveniles due to her impairment.
The children, according to officer Bell who wrote in the ending of the arrest citation, were placed with a family member, and Amy Wells was taken to and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on charges of:
*PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL) and four counts of:
*ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR.
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JOHNSON COUNTY, KY. MAN ARRESTED AFTER BEING DISARMED BY DEPUTY WHILE RETRIEVING HANDGUN FROM HIS POCKET WHILE INTOXICATED

Jesse Douglas Blair
A Johnson County. KY. man is facing felony charges after he was disarmed by a Johnson County Sheriff Office deputy while in the process of retrieving a handgun from his pocket.
According to an arrest citation written by Johnson County Sheriff Office deputy Darvin Marsillett, that on Tuesday, May 5, he was patrolling in the Lower Twin Branch area of Denver when he observed a man walking in the roadway.
Deputy Marsillett wrote that he made contact with the man, identified as Jesse Douglas Blair, 43, of Lower Twin Branch, of Paintsville, KY., who appeared extremely nervous and anxious.
Jesse Blair, the arrest citation said, also appeared intoxicated and repeatedly placed his hands in his pockets.
Deputy Marsillett wrote that he instructed Jesse Blair to keep his hands out of his pockets, but Blair made an abrupt movement toward a pocket and began to retrieve a handgun.
The arrest citation stated that deputy Marsillett immediately gained control of the firearm and placed Jesse Blair under arrest.
Deputy Marsillett wrote in the arrest citation that, while searching Jesse Blair’s person, he found a baggie containing a quantity of a substance believed to be methamphetamine and a baggie containing various prescription pills.
The arrest citation stated that Jesse Blair told deputy Marsillett that he had driven his vehicle into a ditch on Lower Twin Branch Road, and the vehicle was found partially in the roadway and resting in the ditch.
Jesse Blair, according to the arrest citation, was found to have multiple prior convictions, including a felony conviction.
Deputy Marsillett wrote on that Jesse Blair said he was attempting to quit using methamphetamine and refused any field sobriety tests. Jesse Blair, at the end of the arrest the citation, also became irate when a blood test was requested at Paintsville ARH Hospital.
Jesse Blair was transported to and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, on the charges of:
*OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER/INFLUENCE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (189A.010(1D) – 1ST OFFENSE;
*WANTON ENDANGERMENT-1ST DEGREE;
*POSSESSION OF HANDGUN BY CONVICTED FELON; *RESISTING ARREST;
*NO REGISTRATION RECEIPT;
*NO REGISTRATION PLATES;
*POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST DEGREE 1ST OFFENSE (DRUG UNSPECIFIED);
*POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 2ND DEGREE – DRUG UNSPECIFIED;
*PERSISTENT FELONY OFFENDER II.
Johnson County Court documents stated that Jesse Blair was also charged with two counts of: *PROMOTING CONTRABAND – FIRST DEGREE; after a methamphetamine smoking pipe was located in his pants while he was being booked into the jail.

















