Local MMA fighters arrested
Published 2:10 pm Friday, February 2, 2018
Two local MMA fighters were arrested by Kentucky State Police for possession of drugs on the night of Jan. 29.
According to the citation, Trooper Michelle Lang observed a black Ford F150 traveling on the Cumberland Gap Parkway, 10 miles south of London. Lang witnessed the truck cross the white fog line three times, she then initiated a traffic stop inside an area in Knox County. Lang then made contact with the driver, identified as Brandon Bowling, 30, of Pineville. Lang informed Bowling that he was pulled over because he crossed the line and Bowling replied that he probably did because he was “trying to get a dip of Copenhagen.”
Lang stated that Bowling appeared nervous and talked rapidly. He was then asked to step out of his vehicle. Bowling stated he had been to Walmart and MMA training before that. He was asked if he had anything illegal in his vehicle and he replied “not that I am aware of.”
The police state that when Lang asked if she could search the truck, Bowling stated that the vehicle belonged to his friend — who was the passenger. During a search, Bowling was found to have a half ounce of marijuana located in his shoe. Once Bowling was secured, passenger Justin Collett, 28, of Hulen, was asked and gave consent to have the truck searched. During a search of Collett by Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer David Burton, who was assisting on scene, Collett was found to have 60 Xanax pills and 219 Oxycontin pills hidden in his groin area.
Both men were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center and charged with second-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking of a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking of a controlled substance and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
Both men were released on bond on Jan. 31.
Brian O’Brien of The Big One 106.3 FM WRIL contributed to this article.