3 face charges after sheriff’s deputies seize 5.5 pounds of drugs

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – McCracken County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men and a woman during a drug investigation and seized about 5 ½pounds of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

Eric D. McCarty, 48, of Murray faces charges of complicity to trafficking in controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (greater or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine), possession of controlled substance, 1st degree, 3rd or greater offense (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia – buy/possess and unrelated parole violation warrant.

Damon L. Stigger, 45, of Terremont Drive in Paducah faces charges of trafficking in controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (greater or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine), no operators license, disregarding stop sign, reckless driving, failure to produce insurance card, wanton endangerment 1st degree – police officer, wanton endangerment 1st degree, failure to or improper signal, criminal mischief 1st degree, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence, possession of controlled substance, 1st degree, 1st offense (methamphetamine), trafficking in controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd or great offense – (greater or equal to 4 grams cocaine), drug paraphernalia – buy/posses and promoting contraband 1st degree.

Stevie R. Tidwell, 37, of of Paducah faces charges of complicity to trafficking in controlled substance, 1st degree, 2nd or greater offense – (great or equal 2 grams methamphetamine), complicity to trafficking in controlled substance, 1st degree, 1st offense – (greater or equalt to 4 grams cocaine), drug paraphernalia – buy/possess and possession of controlled substance, 1st degree offense (methamphetamine).

Over the past two months, drug detectives conducted covert investigations to identify numerous sources of illegal drugs in western Kentucky.

Detectives arrested three people on May 23 they say are responsible for trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs in Paducah and McCracken County.

On Thursday afternoon detectives say they made crystal methamphetamine purchases from Eric McCarty and Damon Stigger in McCracken County.

Deputies say both men were working in conjunction with one another to sell large amounts of illegal drugs.

Detectives identified a Paducah apartment they was was used to stash illegal drugs and money.

Arrest teams gathered on two different vehicles at separate locations.

Eric McCarty, who was wanted on a parole violation warrant, was arrested. Deputies say he found in possession of approximately 224 grams of crystal methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.

Deputies then tried to stop and arrest Damon Stigger during a traffic stop, but say he drove away. After a short vehicle chase, a deputy utilized a pursuit intervention technique to stop Stigger’s vehicle. Stigger was arrested.

During the arrest, detectives say they found cocaine and money believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales.

Stigger was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail where he was searched. Once at the jail, deputies say they found additional bags of cocaine that Stigger was attempting to conceal in his buttocks.

Detectives then executed a search warrant at the apartment in the 400 block of Cherry Circle in Paducah that was identified during the investigation.

Detectives found Stevie Tidwell inside the apartment during the search warrant service.

During a search of the apartment detectives say they found about five and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, $7,980 believed to be proceeds of illicit drug sales and assorted drug paraphernalia. Tidwell was arrested.

The heriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by

The Kentucky State Police, Carlisle County Sheriff’s Office and the Paducah Police Department assisted the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.

All three suspect were taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.

Both McCarty and Stigger have extensive criminal histories and numerous prior convictions for drug trafficking.

Deputies say additional charges and arrests are likely.