. The man was also arrested on several outstanding warrants. A Paducah woman was also arrested during the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office was arrested by Calloway and Marshall County Sheriff Offices.
Over the course of the past several months drug detectives had received numerous complaints that 50-year-old James “Rusty” Hayden was selling Crystal Methamphetamine. Hayden was also wanted on several outstanding warrants. On 03/20/22 detectives determined through surveillance that Hayden was staying at an airbnb on North 7th Street in Paducah. At approximately 1030pm detectives observed Hayden get into a vehicle parked on the roadway. Detectives surrounded that vehicle. Hayden was arrested without incident. During a search of his person detectives seized 90 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine. Detectives also located a loaded .45 caliber handgun inside the vehicle. Hayden is a convicted felon and unable to lawfully possess a handgun.
Deputies and detectives located a female, identified as Samantha Bennett, inside the apartment that Hayden came from. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment. During a search of the apartment detectives located and seized a small amount of Methamphetamine and over $5000 in US currency believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales. Detectives determined through their investigation that Bennett had dumped a large amount of Methamphetamine down the sink while detectives were arresting Hayden outside.
Hayden has an extensive criminal history and prior convictions for possessing a handgun by a convicted felon and trafficking in Methamphetamine.
Both Hayden and Bennett were lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail.
Arrested: James “Rusty” Hayden 50 of Meacham Lane (McCracken County)
Charges: Firearm enhanced trafficking in Methamphetamine 2nd or subsequent offense and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Arrested: Samantha Bennett 29 of Bridge Street Paducah
Charges: Tampering with physical evidence, possession of Drug Paraphernalia and complicity to trafficking Methamphetamine.