A Clarkson man has reached a plea deal which will send him to prison for 20 years on drug and persistent felony offender charges.
William E. Downs, 53, reached the plea agreement with the Grayson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office just before his trial was scheduled to begin Monday morning. According to court documents, Downs pled guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second-degree persistent felony offender and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The convictions stem from Downs being arrested by Clarkson Police Chief Buck Meredith in April 2021 after Meredith located over 130 grams of methamphetamine (nearly five ounces), over $1,500 in cash and digital scales in Downs’ truck. The arrest took place at Downs’ home on North Patterson Street.
According to the Kentucky Department of Corrections, Downs has several convictions since 2000, including:
- In 2000: Possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified) and possession of drug paraphernalia (a bail jumping charge was dismissed).
- In 2002 in Hardin County: Manufacturing methamphetamine and being a persistent felony offender.
- In 2010 in Grayson County: Manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
- In 2015 in Grayson County: Knowingly possessing anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
- In 2018 in Grayson County: Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
- In 2019 in Grayson County: Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and DUI.
He additionally pled guilty in Warren County in 1992 to sexual misconduct.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
