Reina P. Cunningham

Staff Writer

Four Middlesboro men were arrested on unrelated drug and other felony charges earlier this week.

Shawn Anthony Lawless, 39, was arrested Wednesday by Brad Cawood of the Middlesboro Police Department (MPD) and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree disorderly conduct.

According to the arrest citation, Lawless was arrested outside a residence on West Chester Avenue after he allegedly failed to follow officer instructions while screaming and yelling at officers and his girlfriend.

According to the arrest citation, Lawless also allegedly had oxycodone in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Lawless was released from custody on Thursday afternoon.

Scottie Lynn Walker, 33, was arrested early Thursday morning by Chuck Bruce of the MPD and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

According to the arrest citation, Walker was arrested in the Walmart parking lot. He allegedly had morphine in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Walker was released from custody on Thursday afternoon.

In an unrelated incident, Richard Anthony Jones, 35, was also arrested early Thursday morning. Harvey Johnson of the MPD arrested Jones for tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the arrest citation, Jones was arrested at a residence located at 21st Street and Exeter Avenue after allegedly swallowing a plastic bag with an unknown substance and failing to follow officers’ direction as they were arresting him. He allegedly had a crack pipe in his possession when he was arrested.

Jones was also released from custody on Thursday afternoon.

A Middlesboro man was arrested on first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree criminal mischief charges on Wednesday.

Matthew W. Cole, 26, of Middlesboro, was arrested by Justin Barton of the Middlesboro Police Department after he allegedly attempted to run over a man on Exeter Avenue.

According to the arrest citation, Cole was arrested at his home after the alleged event resulted in approximately 50 yards of a chain link fence being torn down. Cole is still being housed in the Bell County Detention Center.

In other police news, a Virginia man was arrested on two separate counts of theft. Ricky Dale Baker Jr., of Ewing, was arrested by John Veillon of the MPD after he allegedly stole personal property from a residence in Middlesboro.

According to the arrest citation, items were taken on two separate occasions on May 7 and 8. Baker was released from custody on Wednesday afternoon.

Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205, rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com