4 Charged During Search Warrant Operation

On Thursday, March 26, at approximately 8:00 am, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and General Investigations Unit (GIU) detectives along with DCSO Patrol Division deputies executed a search warrant in the 900 block of East 3rd Street in Owensboro. The initial investigation began after SIU received complaints about suspected drug activity at the residence. The months long investigation included the use of confidential sources who conducted multiple undercover purchases of methamphetamine and during the execution of the search warrant, deputies located trafficking quantities of methamphetamine along with scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia. The items seized are consistent with an active drug trafficking operation and were logged into evidence at DCSO. Multiple suspects were present inside the residence at the time and were charged and taken to the Daviess County Detention Center. 

Suspect #1: James Clifford Belcher, age 69, of the 900 block of East 3 rd Street, Owensboro, KY 
Charges:  Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1 st Degree, 2+ Offense (3 counts)  Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess 

Suspect #2: Daniel Scott French, age 46, of the 900 block of East 3 rd Street, Owensboro, KY 
Charges:  Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1 st Degree, 1st Offense (complicity)  Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1 st Degree, 1st Offense  Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possess  Failure to Appear Bench Warrant on Theft from a Building  Failure to Pay Bench Warrant on Possession of Burglar Tools 

Suspect #3: Mariah Ann Smith, age 35, of the 900 block of East 3 rd Street, Owensboro, KY 
Charges:  Failure to Appear Bench Warrant for Criminal Possession of Forge Instrument 

Suspect #4: Whitney Nicole Belcher, age 36, of the 900 block of East 3 rd Street, Owensboro, KY 
Charges:  Failure to Appear Bench Warrant on Non-Support