By Ryan Lewallen, County 17
A Gillette man suspected of distributing narcotics, who fled and evaded capture last week, has been arrested, Gillette Police Lt. Brent Wasson confirmed Tuesday.
Kenneth Powers, 56, is charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and aggravated assault, for an incident that occurred on Sept. 2 where he reportedly fled from Probation & Parole staff, Wasson said on Sept. 3.
Staff, who had received information about a potential drug and firearm stash at Powers’ residence, confronted him around 11:12 a.m. at their office on Commercial Drive, Wasson said.
Powers initially fled from the office in a gold 2003 Nissan Maxima, but he later abandoned the vehicle on West Warlow Drive, Wasson said, adding that the suspect fled the area on foot and officers were not able to locate him at the time.
The vehicle was located and secured by Campbell County Sheriff’s deputies while Gillette Police officers responded to the male’s residence, Wasson continued, for which they were granted a search warrant.
The investigation was impeded momentarily by Powers’ roommate, a 53-year-old male, who initially refused to come to the door when officers arrived and later refused to grant them entry, Wasson said, adding that the roommate was arrested for interference.
In the residence, officers located several ounces of marijuana packaged for sale, 50 LSD tabs, various amounts of suspected cocaine, heroin, and multiple firearms, per Wasson.
Powers was located and arrested on Sept. 5 around 3:40 p.m., according to Campbell County Detention Center records, and was arraigned before Circuit Court Judge Wendy Bartlett on Sept. 7.
