BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — A Tomahawk man was arrested on drug-related charges early Friday morning in Paintsville.
Deputy L. Owens of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kody Harless, 24, at a residence along State Route 172.
The incident unfolded when law enforcement responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle in a driveway. Upon arrival, officers encountered a woman who identified Harless as the driver, stating that he had left the scene.
A search led officers to discover Harless hiding on a hillside next to the driveway, concealed under a blanket. Harless reportedly acknowledged he was aware of active arrest warrants against him.
Police found various drugs inside Harless’ vehicle. These included multiple Ziplock baggies containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, a small bag containing a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana, and a clear bag with an orange powder that Harless allegedly said was Suboxone.
Deputy Owens charged Harless with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, third-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified) and first-degree possession of controlled substance (opiates).
Harless is behind bars at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, where records reveal he has several outstanding charges related to prior arrests. Those charges include first-degree possession of controlled substance (fentanyl), two counts of first-degree possession of controlled substance (heroin), prescription controlled substance not in proper container, failure to appear for misdemeanor citation, fugitive from another state warrant required, and first-degree promoting contraband.
Harless has been arrested multiple times over the years on drug-related charges, beginning in 2017, when he was 18 years old and was arrested on meth, marijuana and alcohol charges. In May 2020, he was arrested for possession of meth, trafficking controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and selling controlled substance to a minor. In July 2020, Harless pleaded guilty to fleeing from police and possession of controlled substance. He received a one-year diversion and was ordered to complete inpatient treatment through ARC. In September 2020, he was indicted in Martin County on drug trafficking charges.
Harless pleaded guilty to first-degree trafficking of heroin in May 2021. He received a three-year sentence and was given supervised parole/probation in December 2021. In June 2022, he was arrested for trafficking marijuana. In September 2022, he pleaded guilty to a first-degree meth-related charge.
In November 2022, Harless was arrested during a traffic stop in Colegrove, Ohio, after police found an ounce of methamphetamine, multiple baggies of suspected fentanyl, scales and other items associated with the sale of narcotics. By February 2023, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to 90 days in-home incarceration.
In April 2023, he was arrested for heroin possession, importing carfentanil, fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives and prescription controlled substance not in proper container. He was indicted in July 2023 on those charges.
Harless has also been arrested numerous other times on bench warrants for failure to attend court and other charges.