A joint investigation between the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy U.S. Marshals and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of a Louisville man and the seizure of 129 grams of crystal methamphetamine on Wednesday in McCracken County.
Detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department’s Drug Division identified Claude Johnson, 47, as a source of supply for methamphetamine in a recent drug investigation. The investigation revealed that Johnson was wanted out Louisville as a parole absconder. Johnson also had a bench warrant out of Louisville for failing to appear for a recent methamphetamine possession charge.
The investigation led detectives on Wednesday to a local hospital at 1530 Lone Oak Road. Through surveillance, detectives and deputies observed Johnson on the property getting into a vehicle. Johnson was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Wednesday — which also happened to be his birthday — without incident. During a search of Johnson’s person, detectives allegedly located and seized 129 grams of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $12,900.
Johnson has five prior convictions for trafficking for in methamphetamine. He had received a 19-year prison sentence in 2014, but was later released on parole according to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson had absconded parole after being arrested again in Louisville.
He was taken to McCracken County Regional Jail on suspicion of trafficking in methamphetamine, second or subsequent offense; and possession of drug paraphernalia.