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Three men are facing charges including drug trafficking and possession after allegedly being found with a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin as a result of a drug investigation in the Lawnvale community by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office.

James Stephenson, 35, of London, Clarance Cox, 35, of Baxter, and Charles B. Sizemore, 42, of Baxter, were arrested on June 4, by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release, Harlan County Sheriff’s deputies were performing surveillance at a location near Morgan Drive at approximately 2 a.m. on June 4, when a deputy performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for minor traffic violations. Further investigation located a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking, and cash. 

Additional investigation and surveillance were performed, resulting in a pair of search warrants being executed at two residences on Morgan Drive. Suspected heroin, multiple pills, cash, a drug trafficking ledger and drug paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking were located at one residence. A small amount of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located at a separate residence.

Stephenson was charged with first-degree trafficking a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking a controlled substance (heroin), trafficking synthetic drugs, and second-degree trafficking a controlled substance (drug unspecified). Stephenson was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $25,000 full cash bond.

Cox was charged with trafficking a controlled substance (heroin), second-degree trafficking a controlled substance (drug unspecified), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $5,000 full cash bond.

Sizemore was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was additionally served with an indictment warrant for first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault. Sizemore was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on multiple full cash bonds totaling $7,500.

In other police activity:

• Steve Cottrell, 34, of Wallins, was arrested on June, 5, by Kentucky State Police. He was charged with second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. Cottrell was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $10,000 full cash bond;
• Shawn Walker, 31, of Totz, was arrested on June, 6, by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault. Walker was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $2,500 full cash bond.