On Thursday afternoon the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men and a woman during a drug investigation and seized approximately five and a half (5 ½lbs) pounds of Crystal Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, and other drugs.
Over the past approximate two months, drug detectives conducted covert investigations to identify numerous sources of illegal drugs in Western, Ky. On 05/23/24 detectives arrested three individuals responsible for trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs in Paducah, McCracken County.
On Thursday afternoon detectives made Crystal Methamphetamine purchases from Eric McCarty and Damon Stigger in McCracken County. The investigation revealed that both men were working in conjunction of one another to sell large amounts of illegal drugs. During the investigation detectives identified a Paducah apartment that was being used to stash illegal drugs and money. Arrest teams converged on two different vehicles at sperate locations. Eric McCarty, who was wanted on a parole violation warrant, was arrested without incident, and was found in possession of approximately 224 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.
Deputies then attempted to stop and arrest Damon Stigger during a traffic stop, but Stigger fled. After a short vehicle pursuit, a deputy utilized a pursuit intervention technique to stop Stigger’s vehicle. Stigger was arrested.
During the arrest, detectives located Cocaine and money believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales. Stigger was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail where he was searched. Once at the jail, deputies located additional bags of Cocaine that Stigger was attempting to conceal in his buttocks.
Detectives then executed a search warrant at the apartment in the 400 block of Cherry Circle in Paducah that was identified during the investigation. Detectives located Stevie Tidwell inside the apartment during the search warrant service. During a search of the apartment detectives located approximately five and half pounds (5 1/2lbs) of Crystal Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, $7,980 believed to be proceeds of illicit drug sales, and assorted drug paraphernalia. Tidwell was also arrested.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Kentucky State Police, the Carlisle County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paducah Police Department.
All three individuals were lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail. Both McCarty and Stigger have extensive criminal histories and numerous prior convictions for drug trafficking.
Additional charges and arrests are likely.
Eric D. McCarty, 48, of Murray, KY
- Complicity to Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd OR > Offense – (> OR = 2 Grams Methamphetamine)
- Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 3rd OR > Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Drug Paraphernalia – BUY/POSSESS
- Unrelated Parole Violation Warrant
Damon L. Stigger, 45, of Terremont Drive, Paducah, KY
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd OR > Offense – (> OR = 2 Grams Methamphetamine)
- No Operators License
- Disregarding Stop Sign
- Reckless Driving
- Failure to Produce Insurance Card
- Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree – Police Officer
- Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree
- Failure to or Improper Signal
- Criminal Mischief 1st Degree
- Resisting Arrest
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
- Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd OR > Offense – (> OR = 4 Grams Cocaine)
- Drug Paraphernalia – BUY/POSSESS
- Promoting Contraband 1st Degree
Stevie R. Tidwell, 37, of Cherry Circle, Paducah, KY
- Complicity to Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 2nd OR > Offense – (> OR = 2 Grams Methamphetamine)
- Complicity to Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense – (> OR = 4 Grams Cocaine)
- Drug Paraphernalia – BUY/POSSESS
- Possession of Controlled Substance, 1st Degree Offense (Methamphetamine)
