Kentucky Pair Arrested On Meth Charges

Oneida, TN (2007-04-04) A routine traffic stop last Saturday resulted in the arrest of two Kentucky men on drug charges.

Thomas W. Troutman, 39, of Corbin, KY and Joseph Siler, also 39, of Williamsburg, KY were arrested last Saturday following a traffic stop. According to an arrest warrant taken out by Oneida K-9 Officer Steven Ward, Officer Creston Burton stopped Troutman for violation of the state’s seat belt law, but found much more.

Upon receiving consent to search the vehicle, officers allegedly found several items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, including two new bottles of alcohol and two new bottles of hydrogen peroxide. Siler, stated the warrant, also had 7.2 grams of pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients in meth, on his person.

Upon further investigation, authorities allegedly discovered that Troutman and Siler had been to at least two different pharmacies within hours of the stop to purchase cold tablets. At the last purchase, stated Ward, Siler went into a pharmacy in the Oneida Plaza and purchased cold tablets. Siler then walked to McDonalds. Authorities allege that Siler went inside the restroom of the restaurant, removed the cold tablets from the “blister pack” and disposed of the box in the trash. Meanwhile, Troutman, who reportedly had dropped Siler off at the pharmacy, traveled to and parked in the restaurant parking lot. Siler then came out, got into Troutman’s vehicle and the pair headed north, but was pulled over by Burton near Northtown Plaza.

Troutman was charged with driving on suspended license and promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine. At his arraignment on Wednesday, Sessions Judge James L. (Jamie) Cotton, Jr. entered a not guilty plea on Troutman’s behalf and gave him until next Wednesday, April 11, 2007 to retain private counsel. His bond was set at $26,000 secure. A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

Siler was charged with violation of the seat belt law and promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine. In court on Wednesday, Siler, who is on probation in Whitley County, KY claimed he was indigent. A public defender was appointed to represent him in the local charges. His preliminary hearing was also set for April 18, 2007.

Investigators Paul Adkins and Darryl Laxton assisted Ward and Burton on the case.