Tennessee man arrested in Paducah on drug trafficking charges

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – A Tennessee man faces drug charges in Paducah after sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a hotel room.

Steven C. Hearst, 42, of Hendersonville, Tenn. faces five counts of criminal possession of a 2nd degree forged instrument, firearm enhanced trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no registration plates and no registration receipt.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tennessee man on drug trafficking charges on Thursday afternoon in Paducah and served a search warrant at his Paducah hotel room.

An investigation began on January 18 when the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office received information alleging that a Tennessee man had traveled to a Paducah hotel to sell methamphetamine.

Drug detectives stopped a man leaving a hotel at 3835 Technology Drive in Paducah.

During the stop, sheriff’s deputies say the man provided detectives with a fictitious Texas driver’s license.

A search of the man revealed several other fictitious driver’s licenses with his photo with different names.

The man was arrested and eventually identified as Steven Hearst.

A sheriff’s office K-9 indicated to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle.

Detectives found a loaded .38 caliber revolver inside the vehicle, but no illegal drugs.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Hearst’s hotel room located at 3835 Technology Drive. Detectives found and seized crystal methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, baggies, THC vape pens, an additional 9mm handgun, additional fake driver’s licenses and money believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales.

In total detectives seized about 148 grams of crystal methamphetamine and $4,590 in cash.

Hearst was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.