Broken Headlight on Van Leads to Two Drug Arrests

Two men were arrested on drug charges late Friday night after their vehicle was pulled over.

A McCracken County Sheriff's Deputy spotted a van on Estes Lane with one working headlight, and conducted a traffic stop at 11:23 pm. The deputy said he learned that the driver, 46-year-old James E. Abanatha of Paducah, had a suspended license, and also saw drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A search led to the seizure of suspected methamphetamine. Deputies also determined that Abanatha and his passenger, 48-year-old Jon O. Pittman of Paducah, tried to discard the drugs as the vehicle was being pulled over. 

Both men were arrested and taken to McCracken County Jail. They are charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with tampering with evidence. Abanatha was also charged with the vehicle equipment violation, driving on a suspended license, and failure to produce and insurance card.