The Irvine Police Department arrested a man and woman from Clay City after Officer Jon Sturniolo observed Cheronna Gail Hatmaker driving west on River Drive traveling only 22 m.p.h. in a 35 m.p.h. zone.
Hatmaker, of 2118 Little Hardwicks Creek in Clay City, continued onto Main Street traveling slowly, and she was pulled over. After giving verbal permission to search her vehicle and belongings, she was found to have no insurance and no operator’s license. Several kinds of drugs were found hidden on her person or in her car.
Hatmaker also had slurred speech and failed various field sobriety tests. She admitted to taking percocet earlier in the day, and she was unable to give blood samples due to the condition of her veins.
She was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second offense; operating on a suspended/ revoked operator’s license; failure of owner to maintain required insurance, driving too slow for traffic conditions,trafficking in methamphetamine, first degree, first offense, trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, traffic in marijuana, less than 8 ounces, first offense, drug paraphernalia, buying or possessing, and illegal possession of a legend drug.
Hatmaker’s bail was set at $25,000 cash.
A passenger in her car was also arrested. Michael Hickey, also of 2118 Little Hardwicks Creek, was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pill within 1000 yards of Estill Springs School.
He had marijuana rolling papers, small plastic bags with marijuana seeds, and he tested positive for methamphetamine via a narcotics test kit. Hickey was in possession of an oxycodone pill, and he had a concealed knife on a chain around his neck, after he stated that he had no weapons on him.
Hickey’s bail was also set at $25,000.
The Powell County Sheriff’s Department is also investigating the case and additional charges could be pending.