Manchester Man Arrested at Laurel County Checkpoint on Drug, DUI Charges

LONDON, Ky. — A Clay County man was arrested Monday night after deputies say he attempted to destroy drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop at a safety checkpoint in eastern Laurel County.

Vincent Edward King, 57, of Manchester, was taken into custody by Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Reed around 8:09 p.m. on Johnson Road, approximately 11 miles east of London.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies observed a black Chevrolet Cavalier swerving into the opposite lane as it approached the checkpoint. When the vehicle came to a stop, Deputy Reed noticed the driver attempting to crush a glass pipe with his foot on the floorboard, which deputies believe caused the erratic driving.

King allegedly admitted to having smoked methamphetamine earlier in the day. Deputies conducted a roadside investigation and determined that King was under the influence at the time of the stop.

He was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence (first offense), reckless driving, operating on a suspended or revoked license, failure of owner to maintain required insurance (first offense), possession of a controlled substance (first-degree, first offense – methamphetamine), and tampering with physical evidence.

King was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.