By Eugenia Jones {Editor}
[email protected]
Photos by Eugenia Jones The McCreary County Sheriff’s Department had a busy weekend, beginning on Saturday night (11-4-23) with a dispatch call concerning a possible escape at USP McCreary. Local law enforcement responded to assist.
Traffic stop leads to drug related charges On Sunday night, a routine traffic stop resulted in drug-related charges. Shortly thereafter, at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning, Sheriff David Sampson and Deputies executed a search warrant leading law enforcement to locate (pictured below): 404 grams of marijuana, 28 grams of crystal methamphetamine, approximately $11,000 in cash, pills, and a 22 caliber rifle with ammunition. As a result, Luther Murphy was arrested on multiple charges including Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Controlled Substances, and Harboring a Vicious Animal. McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson with Deputies Daniel Taylor, Alex Jones, and Chief Deputy Dustin Ridner executed the search warrant leading to Murphy’s arrest.
What happened at USP McCreary?
After a flurry of activity was noticed Saturday (11-4-23) night at the McCreary County Airport and backside of USP McCreary, residents in the surrounding area were left asking, “What’s going on?”
According to incident reports obtained by The Voice, McCreary County 911 received a call from USP McCreary at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Saturday night regarding a possible inmate escape (dressed in green) with possible pick up. The USP McCreary caller requested to speak directly to local law enforcement. 911 dispatch complied by providing the caller with contact information for an on-duty McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy.
According to the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department, a call from USP McCreary was received Saturday night, informing local law enforcement that the prison was “dealing with a little situation.” USP McCreary requested local law enforcement check for a car parked near an old cell block located close to the airport. The USP caller shared information regarding three inmates who were observed going in the direction of the vehicle. USP McCreary allegedly reported two of the inmates were detained before reaching the vehicle.
The McCreary County Sheriff’s Department and KY Fish & Wildlife law enforcement responded to the scene, searching inside the airport property. According to law enforcement, officers spent approximately 45 minutes responding and searching inside and around the airport property.
At some point during their search, local law enforcement officers were notified by the prison that a “head count” was being conducted. Shortly thereafter, prison officials notified the Sheriff’s Department that all inmates had been accounted for.
The McCreary County Voice contacted USP McCreary regarding the incident; however, as of press time, no official information had been released.
PINE KNOT, KY: On Saturday, November 4, 2023, at approximately 10:48 a.m., Gregory Potter was found unresponsive at the United States Penitentiary (USP) McCreary in Pine Knot, Kentucky.
Responding employees initiated life-saving measures. Emergency medical services (EMS) were requested while life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Potter was transported by EMS to a local hospital and subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital personnel.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified.
No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger.
Mr. Potter was a 60-year-old male who was sentenced in the Middle District of Tennessee to a 360-month sentence for Conspiracy to Possess Firearms, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He had been in custody at USP McCreary since February 8, 2023.
USP McCreary is a high security facility.
Additional information about the Federal Bureau of Prisons can be found at
www.bop.gov.
