Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman is urging area businesses to watch closely for counterfeit money being passed in the area.

He said that three bogus $100 bills have been passed in Vanceburg including one at McDonald's and two at Super Quik.

Billman said the fake bills were of poor quality and had the same serial number. An arrest was made in connection with the passing of the counterfeit money.

Sgt. Mark Jordan said Sheena Thurman, 19, of Vanceburg, was arrested last Tuesday and lodged in the Lewis County Detention Center. 

She was charged with first degree criminal possession of a forges instrument, a class C felony.

Jordan is continuing the investigation and added that further arrests are expected.

Billman recommends briefing any employees who will be accepting money from the public on the ways to detect counterfeit bills and to contact the police department if any are discovered.

Anyone who may have information should contact the Vanceburg Police Department at 606-796-2111.

A Lewis County jury has recommended a 15-year sentence as a result of an undercover drug operation, investigated by the Lewis County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said that Carl Marshall, 42, of Garrison, was found guilty by a Lewis County jury last Wednesday, following his arrest by the sheriff's department. The arrest was made in November of 2004.

Lewis said the jury found Marshall guilty on two counts of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts of trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 yards of a school and one count of trafficking in less than eight ounces of marijuana.

Lewis said Marshall's arrest resulted from an undercover investigation conducted by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office that also resulted in the arrests of 14 others.

He said he commends the jury for sending a strong message to the drug traffickers in Lewis County and also commends the Commonwealth's attorney's Office for their support and hard work put in, not only in this case but all cases brought to them by the sheriff's office.

Lewis said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Bertram should be complimented for the outstanding job he performed in regards to the case.

He also said that he Lewis County Sheriff's Office is committed to fighting this contagious epidemic and anticipates additional arrests.

Anyone with knowledge of suspected drug activity may call the Lewis County Sheriff's Department tip line at 606-796-0123 or email tips to tips@lewiscountysheriff.org.  Callers may remain anonymous.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Department arrested and charged two Maysville residents with first degree trafficking in a controlled substance, a class D felony, for allegedly selling cocaine in the parking lot of a Tollesboro business.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said that Adam Wallingford, 21, and Stephen Werline, 25, both of Maysville, were arrested and, if convicted, could face a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Lewis said deputies were observing the transaction a short distance away with audio and video surveillance equipment.

He said that after the transaction was completed, Deputy Jason Hill and Deputy Dwayne Stone arrested the two and lodged them in the Lewis County Detention Center.

Lewis said their vehicle, a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix, was seized and impounded by the sheriff's department for its use in drug trafficking.

He said cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that is appearing more frequently in Lewis County. He said the powered form can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected, adding that regardless of cocaine is used, users can experience acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies such as heart attack or stroke. Both, he said, can lead to sudden death.

Anyone with knowledge of suspected drug activity may call the Lewis County Sheriff's Department tip line at 606-796-0123 or email tips to tips@lewiscountysheriff.org.  Callers may remain anonymous.