The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Drug suspect was indicted three times in three years




A man who has been indicted on felony charges three times since late 2011 is in trouble again — this time for trafficking in the painkiller oxycodone while violating the conditions of his parole in another case.

Eric Duwayne Howard, of 1119 Highway 2036, Letcher, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday after police found him carrying $6,516 in cash and prescription drugs, according to a citation issued by Captain M.K. Terry of the Letcher County Sheriff ’s Department.

Letcher County Sheriff Danny Webb said the cash and drugs were discovered when Terry and other deputies, along with Kentucky State Police Trooper Donnie White and District Two Constable John Amburgey, were in Spring Branch Monday to serve a parole violation warrant issued in another case involving Howard.

Howard, 32, was arrested after he was found hiding inside a small storage area near his home.

A search of Howard’s wallet turned up documents consistent with prescription pill trafficking, including out-of-state drug sources, said Webb.

Arresting officers had received complaints about Howard selling drugs in the community, Webb said.

Howard is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance in addition to the parole violation charge. He was being held in the Letcher County Jail pending arraignment this week in Letcher District Court.

In May 2012, the Letcher County Grand Jury indicted Howard on a bail jumping charge after Howard failed to appear to answer charges contained in a March 201 indictment charging Howard and eight others with being part of an organized crime syndicate whose members were stealing copper from telephone lines belonging to AT&T.

In November 2011, the Letcher County Grand Jury returned a felony indictment against Howard charging him with failing to pay child support for a period of at least six straight months.



Leave a Reply