Four Face Drug, Endangerment Charges After Search

Four people have been arrested after an investigation into illegal drug activity in Ledbetter.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Department began investigating on April 16 when a search warrant was served at multiple homes on property at 157 Pin Oak Drive. Kentucky State Police, Livingston County Animal Control and the McCracken County Sheriff's Department assisted in the search. 

Methamphetamine and a large quantity of legend drugs were recovered at the time, and the Department of Community Based Services Social Workers was contacted due to the the living conditions of several children on the property.

While the investigation is still ongoing, on Thursday officers arrested three Ledbetter residents, 44-year-old Gerald Barton, 45-year-old Melissa Barton, 26-year-old Kaylee Barton, along with 27-year-old Jacob Faulkner of Karnak, Illinois.

They all face charges of trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (over 2 grams of meth). 

All three Bartons were charged with 3 counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and Faulkner faces one count of that charge. Gerald and Melissa Barton were charged with 72 counts of possession of a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. Melissa Barton faces an additional charge of dispensing legend drugs without a license, and Kaylee Barton faces a charge of trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense (less than 10 doses of Lortab).

The were all taken to McCracken County Jail. 

The Livingston County Sheriff's Department says more arrests are possible as a result of the ongoing investigation.