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The Clay County coalition received a first quarter allocation of $4,400 and a second quarter allocation of $5,000 for anti-drug activities during 2006.

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Chad's Hope Center

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Unite Released Pics of Meth Materials

On Thursday, UNITE detectives, along with the Kentucky State Police, went to the suspected meth lab location at the Lower Sadler Cemetery in Clay County, located near the Owsley County line. There they found materials indicating a large amount of methamphetamine was being produced.

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Children present at meth lab operation

SADLER (06-22-2006) -- One man was arrested and two children were turned over to protective custody following the discovery of an active methamphetamine lab on Thursday, June 22.

Gregory Scott Davidson, age 39, of the Sadler community in Clay County, was charged by Operation UNITE with one count of manufacturing methamphetamine, one count fourth-degree controlled substance endangerment to a child, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine), and resisting arrest.

The arrest resulted from an investigation stemming from complaints made to UNITE’s Drug Tip Line as well as from Owsley County Sheriff Kelly Shouse. On Thursday, UNITE detectives, along with the Kentucky State Police, went to the suspected meth lab location at the Lower Sadler Cemetery in Clay County, located near the Owsley County line. There they found materials indicating a large amount of methamphetamine was being produced.

At the time of the visit there was a 16-year-old and a 1-year-old at the scene. Clay County Protection and Permanency was contacted to ensure their safety. The children were taken to be checked out as part of the new Drug Endangered Child Network response plan. Davidson struggled with detectives as they were placing him under arrest, leading to the resisting arrest charge. A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of approximately 2.5 grams of what is believed to be cocaine. The methamphetamine lab was properly disposed of by the UNITE detectives.

"This investigation was a true testament to what can happen when everyone in a community works together," said Joel Cunigan, manager of UNITE’s Cumberland Drug Task Force. "Operation UNITE would like to thank the following for their involvement in this drug investigation: The Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Manchester Police Dispatch Center, the Clay County Protection and Permanency Department, and the citizen's who have given these officer's the tips they need to keep these dangerous drugs out of your communities."

Davidson was lodged into the Clay County Detention Center.

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Final Shoot Hoops Not Drugs Basketball Camp held

The final Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp with Jeff Sheppard was held at Bob Amos Park in Pikeville. The former Wildcat Final Four MVP has been working with UNITE, hosting camps throughout Eastern Kentucky.

[Local News]

UNITE wants stronger, more active group for Bell County
By C.J. HARTE/Correspondent

Saturday morning district and local UNITE workers met in an effort to build a stronger and more active chapter in Bell County. Joe Farmer, Faith-based Community Coordinator for Operation UNITE from Manchester, spoke before a group of local residents and ministers, explaining about UNITE and the difference the organization has meant to a declining drug use rate in the Fifth Congressional District. UNITE stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment Education.


Operation UNITE’s Joe Farmer
Photo by C.J. Harte/Daily News

“We have all three components, investigations where we arrest drug dealers; we have a treatment program where we will actually pay for people to go to treatment and then education like our coalitions, here in Bell County. We also have 31 school counselors we hired to work in the school system on the campuses for the kids to talk to,” explained Farmer.

The coordinator for UNITE in Bell County is Kathy Woolum. The organization is looking for more members who are interested in eradicating illegal drugs from Bell County and to help rehabilitate those who have become addicts.

“UNITE is a comprehensive approach eradicating drugs from our communities. Not only arresting people, but helping people get their life back together and become productive. We are treating the whole person,” Farmer stated.

The success of UNITE depends on the active members of the communities.

“UNITE is not the answer and other government programs are not the answer. The power lies within the community, in the people coming together and standing up and no longer assisting the drug culture, is what it takes,” Farmer said.

Change in communities come from people who are involved, not organizations. It is volunteers, kids, moms and dads, pastors and church members, people who care enough to get out of their homes and become involved. Farmer showed a film clip from the 700 Club that evidenced how members of different denominations, came together in Manchester and began to deal directly with the drug problem, including dealers and addicts, and the positive results. The film stated that illegal drug use in Clay County was so rampant that the younger generation was dying faster than growing.

During a downpour of rain in 2002, more than 3,500 people marched through Manchester stating that they were tired of the illegal drugs and what it was doing to Clay County residents. The coalition has made a difference. While there are still drug dealers, their number and number of addicts has made a significant decline. Farmer pointed out that as denominations not all members agree. He explained that as Christians some have a calling for different type of work and because one does one thing and someone else another, doesn't mean they aren't part of God's Kingdom. He said people come together, but don't stay together.

“We've got to stay together. It takes you overlooking me, sometimes,” Farmer explained.

He stated that while there are many denominations that Christians are called to win others to Christ, not a church. He said denominationalism is not the goal, but winning others to Christ is. In the same manner, while members of UNITE may be Christians from different churches, Baptist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, Catholic, Methodist, all have the same goal. Using the same method, volunteers come from different ways of life, but have a common goal: Eradicate drugs. Which church volunteers come from doesn't matter or even if they are not church members, but to get rid of illegal drugs and drug dealers from our community is the goal and that means working together. Farmer said to help make a difference in illegal drug dealing and addicts means all those interested in that goal have to stay together, putting behind any difference they may have in religion, no religion, color, or politics.

“You need to stay together. You don't need to let these little petty things divide you,” he said.

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Baker, son plead guilty to federal drug charges

A man who spent two months on the run from law enforcement officers, while publicly proclaiming his innocence through the media, entered guilty pleas to federal drug charges in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, August 9.

Eddie Arnold Baker Sr. pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute OxyContin and the distribution of OxyContin, one count of a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as two forfeiture counts, announced Amul R. Thapar, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Baker’s son, Eddie Arnold Baker Jr., also pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute OxyContin and the distribution of OxyContin, and one forfeiture count.

The pleas were entered before the Honorable Chief Judge Joseph M. Hood. As stated in the plea agreements, the United States has agreed to a sentence of 144 months for Baker Sr. and 60 months for Baker Jr. Both defendants are currently scheduled to appear for sentencing before the United States District Court in Lexington on December 4 at 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively.

Joining Thapar in announcing the pleas were Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; Paul J. Vido, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (Louisville Field Division); Karen Engle, Executive Director, Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education (UNITE); and John (Jack) Adams, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police.

“The Bakers illegal drug activity has had a negative impact on the lives and families of many citizens throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” Engle said. “It is gratifying to know these men will no longer be able to engage in their destructive drug-dealing.”

The Baker case has drawn statewide attention since Operation UNITE attempted to serve a search warrant at his Strongs Branch Road home in the Barwick Community on Thursday, January 19. As law enforcement officers pulled into his driveway they observed him making a drug transaction from his truck. Baker immediately attempted to flee by driving his Chevrolet pickup truck through a field toward his son’s home at a high rate of speed. Several officers fired shots at the truck after he attempted to run over them.

Baker eventually abandoned his truck after it became stuck in a creek and fled into the woods. A search of Baker’s truck, home and property uncovered 1,621 OxyContin pills with a street value of approximately $132,000, three stolen four-wheelers, approximately $20,000 in stolen building materials, and $7,432 in cash. On January 30, after police received an anonymous tip, police recovered 200 assorted pills – including OxyContin, Hydrocodone and Valium – plus $10,000 in cash from a hidden compartment behind the radio.

For more than two months, Baker taunted police with video tapes sent to regional television stations and even gave several interviews to newspaper reporters. He continually proclaimed his innocence and said he would not turn himself in to authorities.

On March 22, troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard spotted Baker near a neighbor’s trailer and chased him into the woods where he was arrested. At the time police found a large amount of cash, ammunition and a gun.

“The only thing UNITE has wanted was for Mr. Baker to have his day in court,” said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE. “We always knew the facts would stand for themselves, and today he has pled guilty. Justice has been served.”

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Jury convicts dealer, two plead guilty



A Rockhouse man was found guilty of drug trafficking by a Leslie County jury Thursday, August 10. In addition, two other men pled guilty to drug trafficking charges. Jury members recommended that 64-year-old Doug Feltner, of Puncheon Camp Road, serve a five-year prison term for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Both 31-year-old Dana Hill and 24-year-old David Miller face five-year jail terms for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, however their sentences will be probated if they complete a Drug Court program. Circuit Judge Cletus Maricle set final sentencing for all three men for Wednesday, October 4. All three were taken to the Clay County Detention Center following their court appearances.

Feltner was arrested in October 2004 during a drug round-up by Operation UNITE. According to testimony during the four-hour trial, Feltner sold an undercover UNITE detective a 40 mg OxyContin pill for $50 on July 26, 2004. Prosecuting the case was Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ritchie Couch. Hill, of Highway 421 in the Stinnett community, and Miller, of Mulberry Lane in the Big Branch community, were also arrested as part of the October 2004 UNITE round-up. Both men originally faced multiple charges of trafficking in a controlled substance for selling OxyContin pills, but agreed to plead guilty to one count.

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UNITE to hold inaugural awards and education conference

Operation UNITE will hold its first education conference and awards ceremony on Friday, September 8, at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

“A Celebration of Communities in Action” will focus on real solutions to the region’s drug problems and honor exceptional efforts by individuals and coalitions since UNITE was created in 2003.

Tom Zawacki, general manager of general operations for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown will be the keynote speaker at awards luncheon. He will be discussing “corporate citizenship and community involvement.”

Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, whose vision and concern sparked UNITE’s formation, will also speak during the luncheon.

“In business or government, truly innovative solutions are rare,” noted Karen Engle, executive director of UNITE. “Our featured speakers represent creative problem-solving at its best.”

Participants in the morning conference can chose from one of three break-out sessions: 1) “Fundraising 101,” presented by Danielle Clore, founding director of the University of Kentucky’s Nonprofit Leadership Initiative; 2) “Dealing Positively With Resistance,” presented by Bob Ash, founder of Life Lessons; and 3) “KASPER: 2003-2005 Trend Analysis of Controlled Substance,” presented by Dave Sallengs, branch manager for the Drug Enforcement and Professional Practices Branch, and Neal Rosenblatt, project manager/business analyst for the Office of Information Technology, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.A separate youth-oriented session -- “Flash Judgments,” presented by Jennifer Watson, youth development training coordinator for Kentucky Child Now! – will also be held.

“The 2006 UNITE Excellence Awards will recognize some of the volunteers, counselors, mentors, clubs and communities that embraced our goals wholeheartedly and without whom that progress would not have been possible,” Engle said.

Pre-registration for the awards conference is requested by Wednesday, August 30, by calling 1-866-678-6483.

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UNITE honors outstanding anti-drug efforts

Anti-drug efforts by individuals, coalitions and businesses throughout the Fifth Congressional District were honored Friday, September 8, during the first Operation UNITE “A Celebration of Communities in Action” education conference and awards ceremony. The more than 900 people who participated in the conference, held at the University of the Cumberlands, also learned of a new state report that shows UNITE’s efforts have significantly impacted prescription narcotic use.

“It’s been a short few years since we started UNITE. Today’s event allows us to honor you for your dedication, commitment, tireless giving of yourself and your resources to make a difference,” said Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers. “And you are making a difference!”

Rogers cited several examples of UNITE’s successes:

• More than 1,500 drug dealers have been arrested.

• More than $6 million worth of drugs has been taken off the streets.

• Drug Courts are operating in 28 UNITE counties.

• More than 300 individuals have been assisted in finding treatment for substance abuse.

• Community coalitions have been created in all 29 counties and on 10 college campuses.

• UNITE Clubs have been created at 35 schools.

Keynote speaker for the awards luncheon was Tom Zawacki, general manager of general administration for Toyota Motor Manufacturing / Kentucky.

Zawacki shared a special message about the importance of corporate citizenship and community involvement in the fight against drugs. He cited Toyota’s philosophy of teamwork, continuous improvement and other motivations driving the automotive giant to become one of the commonwealth’s top corporate citizens.

Saying Toyota wanted to lead by example, Zawacki presented UNITE a $2,500 check to be used for UNITE Club programs throughout the district.

While law enforcement and treatment are critical components of UNITE’s overall anti-drug strategy, real long-term change is not possible without reaching out to youth who are struggling with drug abuse – either personally or through a family member, noted Karen Engle, executive director of UNITE.

To put the UNITE effort into perspective, a video was debuted featuring the personal stories of five young people whose lives have been dramatically turned upside down because of drugs.

“Listening to these stories is life-changing,” Rogers proclaimed. “I encourage each of you to just talk with our youth. You may be surprised to discover whose lives are being impacted by drugs. They are not seeking sympathy. They want someone to hear them, to understand their issues, and help change the tide of abuse.”

Earlier in the day, representatives from KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Report) reporting a trend analysis of controlled substances from 2003 to 2005 that showed the region has experienced a significant decline in the number of prescribed narcotics.

Specifically, the Kentucky River region had a 9.2 percent decrease in prescribed narcotics, while the UNITE region as a whole showed a 4.4 percent decrease.

“Now that’s progress, and it’s all because of your efforts,” Rogers said. “But there is more to be done. We’re just starting. The fact of he matter is we need everyone involved.”

“Today we paused to recognize those individuals who have made lasting impacts through their dedication and hard work and look ahead to great things yet to come,” Engle said. “There is much to celebrate as we move into the fourth year battling the drug scourge in Southern and Eastern Kentucky through a coordinated effort of investigations, treatment and education.”

To honor the anti-drug efforts, UNITE presented 11 awards of excellence including two from Clay County:

• Community Impact Project of the Year – Clay County Court Watch

• Community Leader of the Year – Doug Abner and Ken Bolin (Clay County)

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UNITE Community Impact Project of the Year Award Winner -- Clay County Court Watch Program. From left, UNITE Board Chairman Tom Handy, Court Watch Coordinator John Becknell, Keynote Speaker Tom Zawacki (General Manager of General Administration for Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky), and Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers.

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Community Impact Project of the Year Winner: Clay County Court Watch

Clay County Court Watch was honored Friday, September 8, during the first Operation UNITE “A Celebration of Communities in Action” education conference and awards ceremony held at the University of the Cumberlands. One of the most difficult UNITE programs to successfully implement is Court Watch. Without a doubt, Clay County’s John Becknell has mastered the task.

In a peaceable and non-threatening manner, Court Watch volunteers monitor, track, record and report, without bias, all aspects of local drug and drug-related cases from arrest through sentencing or dismissal.

“Court Watch has raised the bar of accountability,” said Karen Engle, executive director of UNITE.

“We’re going to court to try to improve our county, not to try to ruin somebody or to throw a wrench into the proceedings,” said Becknell, the driving force behind Clay County’s highly successful Court Watch program. “Our job, put simply, is to monitor and report – to gather the information and let it stand for itself.”

Court Watch volunteers have tracked thousands of cases in Clay County since June 2004, demonstrating to the community just how prevalent the drug problem has become. Their findings have resulted in many improvements to make the judicial process more efficient.

In addition to overseeing the program, John developed a database that can track drug cases in more than 200 ways.

“No one has worked more tirelessly than John,” noted his nomination. He is “tenacious” and lives with a “never-give-up spirit.”

Becknell’s efforts have not been limited to his home county.

“He has almost single-handedly worked to promote Court Watch to coalitions throughout the Fifth District,” Engle said. “Under John Becknell’s leadership, the Court Watch program has been implemented into 17 counties in Kentucky and three other states. The impact of this program has been so great that it has been highlighted by Kentucky’s major newspapers, the Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.”

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Community Leader of the Year Winners: Doug Abner and Ken Bolin

Doug Abner and Ken Bolin were honored Friday, September 8, during the first Operation UNITE “A Celebration of Communities in Action” education conference and awards ceremony held at the University of the Cumberlands. The UNITE Community Leader of the Year Award will bear the names of this year’s recipients -- Doug Abner and Ken Bolin, co-chairs of the Christians for a Drug-Free Clay County UNITE coalition.

“Without a doubt, these two individuals set the standard for what UNITE hopes to accomplish,” said Karen Engle, executive director. “They are outstanding ambassadors who carry the light that will lift the Fifth Congressional District out of the darkness of drug abuse. Doug and Ken are an inseparable duo whose efforts and enthusiasm are contagious and set a sterling example for others to follow.”

“They bring a message of hope to people who have felt overwhelmed and hopeless because of the effects that drugs have had on their loved ones and their communities,” Engle added.

Abner, pastor of Community Church, “believes in what UNITE is doing to fight drugs so completely he’s like a man on fire, and whoever is around him will catch that fire too,” his nomination stated. “I see him pouring his life into people. The choices he makes are dictated by his love and devotion to God. He is not someone who stands around talking about the problem and then does nothing.”

A tireless recruiter, Abner leads by personal example. He spends countless hours making phone calls and has traveled across Kentucky and to other states talking to people and educating them about the destruction caused by drugs.

“Other parts of our nation have contacted UNITE wanting to know what is happening in Manchester, Kentucky,” Engle said. “Their success has been documented on the Christian Broadcasting Network and Country Music Television.”

Bolin, pastor of the Manchester Baptist Church, works hand-in-hand with Abner. His wisdom and his zeal to change attitudes and lives has resulted in many people to be a part of Operation UNITE.

He “has made a stand to do the right thing, even when it seems unpopular” or puts him at odds with those who might harm him, the nomination said. “Through his tireless work with UNITE (Bolin) has not been afraid to step up and make a difference in the lives of Clay County citizens.”

An inspiration to others, Bolin is certainly considered “one of the most respected men in Eastern Kentucky.”

Both men, Engle said, “are true friends of UNITE.”

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UNITE Community Leader of the Year Award Winners -- Doug Abner and Ken Bolin from Clay County. This award will be named in their honor. From left, UNITE Board Chairman Tom Handy, Doug Abner, Keynote Speaker Tom Zawacki (General Manager of General Administration for Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky), Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers, and Ken Bolin.

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Drug shipment intercepted; 2 arrested

Two Southeastern Kentucky residents were arrested last week after law enforcement officials intercepted a large shipment of prescription pain pills headed to Harlan County. Detectives from Operation UNITE discovered 248 80 mg OxyContin pills and $583 in cash after the suspects’ car was stopped in a multi-agency effort.

“On the street these pills would have sold for more than $29,000,” noted Joel Cunigan, manager of UNITE’s Cumberland Drug Task Force. “These men are believed to be ‘mules’ for a major drug dealer in the Tri-City area. Had we not received the tip, these pills would have been delivered and then sold throughout the region.”

Charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance were 19-year-old Kevin Michael Mcilquham of Big Jakes Branch in Gordon, Kentucky (Letcher County) and 21-year-old Daniel Shaw Sharp of Union Street in Clutts, Kentucky (Harlan County). Mcilquham was also charged with driving under the influence of drugs.

Cunigan said Operation UNITE received information that the OxyContin pills were being brought into the area from Lexington by Mcilquham in a maroon Pontiac Grand Prix. Four UNITE detectives, along with the assistance of two Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officers, two officers from the Cumberland Police Department, a deputy with the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office and a Kentucky State Police trooper, set up observation points “on every entry point to Cumberland,” Cunigan said.

About 4:30 p.m. one of the KVE units spotted the vehicle on U.S. 119 near Cumberland and conducted a traffic stop. After receiving permission to search the car, officers discovered the pills in a bag hidden under an ashtray. Both men were arrested and taken to the Harlan County Detention Center. Cunigan said the investigation into the distribution ring is continuing and additional arrests are possible.

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