Man arrested for allegedly stalking police officer

Published 8:56 am Thursday, November 14, 2019

A Middlesboro man is behind bars after he allegedly followed a police officer to his residence with loaded weapons in the car.

Michael Bowen, 44, was arrested by officer Nick Capps of the Middlesboro Police Department Thursday morning and charged with first-degree stalking, first-degree possession of a controlled (methamphetamine), tampering with physical evidence, second-degree disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle under the influence and harassment (no physical contact).

According to the arrest citation, officer Capps received a complaint from Middlesboro Police Sgt. Clay Hurd, who was off duty at the time, of a vehicle that had followed him down Airport Road turning off of KY 74. Hurd said that while on Airport Road, a white Kia with a red LED light above the tag blew by him.

Email newsletter signup

The citation states once Hurd turned right off of Airport Road onto KY 441 toward his residence in Ambleside, the Kia then pulled out of Dunlap Church and followed Hurd to his residence — which is also a dead-end street.

Capps stated in his report that once the Kia reached the stop sign, he placed the vehicle in park. Hurd went to pull out and the Kia “took off.” When Capps found the vehicle the driver, identified as Bowen, was nervous and had a loaded AR-15 and a .45-caliber handgun in the front seat. There was also an extra magazine fully loaded in the seat.

The report also states Bowen tried to toss baggies of suspected meth in the bed of a parked truck. According to Capps, Bowen became belligerent after being placed in handcuffs.

Bowen is being held at the Bell County Detention Center without bond.

Others recently lodged in the detention center on felony charges include:

• Darrell Estepp, 18, of Middlesboro, was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking marijuana (8 oz to less than 5 lbs), possession of drug paraphernalia, third-degree possession of a controlled substance and a bench warrant for court;

• Dillion A. Overton, 20, of Middlesboro, was arrested by officers with the Middlesboro Police Department and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, trafficking marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, third-degree possession of a controlled substance and seven bench warrants;

• Devon Collins, 19, of Cumberland Gap, Tenn., was arrested and charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), second-degree bail jumping, speeding 26 mph or more over the limit, operating on suspended or revoked operator’s license, two counts first-degree wanton endangerment, failure to appear and careless driving;

• Jennifer Lynn Roark, 33, of Middlesboro, was arrested by officers with the Middlesboro Police Department and charged with first-degree trafficking a controlled substance, trafficking marijuana (less than 8 oz), tampering with physical evidence and was served a bench warrant for court;

• Dylan Seiglar, 19, of Middlesboro, was arrested by officers with the Middlesboro Police Department and charged with no operator’s license, two counts second-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle and on foot), first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts disregarding a stop sign, two counts disregarding traffic control device, speeding 20 mph over the limit, careless driving, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, no registration plates;

• Ricky Slusher, 35, of Beverly, was arrested by correctional officers with the Bell County Detention Center and charged with second-degree escape (from identify facility), failure to appear, two counts contempt of court and was served a bench warrant;

• Misty Smith, 38, of Pineville, was arrested by officers with the Middlesboro Police Department and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and served a bench warrant for court;

• Austin Snowden, 25, of Middlesboro, was arrested by officers with the Middlesboro Police Department and charged with two counts possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, two counts second-degree escape (identify facility), two counts third-degree assault (police or probation officer), theft by unlawful taking ($500 or more but under $10,000), tampering with physical evidence, first- and second-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle and on foot), two counts first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer), resisting arrest, first-degree criminal mischief.