According to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office, on December 30, detectives received a complaint of suspicious activity on Oriole Drive. Upon arrival, detectives performed a traffic stop on a golf cart being driven in the road. Deputies say the golf cart had previously been reported stolen, so the driver, 41-year-old Phillip D. Merritt, Sr., AKA "the Pac-Man," was arrested.
The investigation continued with detectives obtaining a search warrant on January 1 for a home off KY 93 South in Eddyville. A search of the property led to the arrest of 42-year-old Paula J. Hunter, and 43-year-old Matthew E. Hawkins on charges related to the search.
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office then contacted the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office to alert them of the possible location of stolen property within the county.
Caldwell County detectives say they were able to locate a stolen golf cart from Hopkinsville, and another stolen UTV, which led to the arrest of 50-year-old Johnathan Milstead.
Hawkins, Hunter, and Merritt were lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center, and Milstead was lodged in the Caldwell County Jail.
Merritt is being charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and numerous traffic offenses.
Hunter is being charged with firearm enhanced trafficking in a controlled substance first degree methamphetamine, firearm enhanced trafficking in marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and receiving stolen property.
Hawkins is being charged with two counts of receiving stolen property under $10,000, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Milstead is being charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000, and receiving stolen property over $10,000.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
