A Clarkson felon with a long history of drug-related arrests and convictions has been nabbed with thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine and over $1,500 in cash.
Through an investigation, on Friday morning at approximately 11:30, Clarkson Police Chief Buck Meredith arrived at a residence on North Patterson Street and made contact with the occupant, 52-year-old William E. Downs. Upon being given consent to search the residence, Meredith located drug paraphernalia inside the home, according to the arrest citation.
During questioning, Downs told Meredith that he had methamphetamine in his vehicle, a 1994 Chevrolet truck. During a search of the vehicle, Meredith located over 130 grams of methamphetamine (nearly five ounces) with a street value of over $13,000. Meredith also located over $1,500 in cash and digital scales.
Downs, who, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections, is on probation until 2035, was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond. He is no longer listed as an inmate.
Meredith noted that he has filed the paperwork necessary to seize Downs’ vehicle.
The suspect’s arrest and conviction history dates to 1992 when he pled guilty to sexual misconduct in Warren County. In 2000, Downs pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified) and possession of drug paraphernalia (a bail jumping charge was dismissed).
In 2002, he was extradited on an out of state warrant. Also in 2002, he pled guilty in Hardin County to manufacturing methamphetamine and being a persistent felony offender.
In 2010, he was convicted for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
In 2015, Downs pled guilty to knowingly possessing anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
Meredith arrested Downs in April 2018 for trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) after he found Downs with a significant amount of the drug. He was also arrested in 2018 by the Leitchfield Police Department for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
In 2019, Downs pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine, third or greater offense) and DUI.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
