Bardstown pawn shop owner arrested on drug-related charges

STAFF REPORT

Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, 10 a.m. — The owner of Green Baron Pawn was arrested Thursday and charged with several drug offenses during a police follow-up visit after the owner was cited Tuesday for buying stolen jewelry.

Charles K. Porter, 51, of Bardstown was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, having a prescription controlled substance not in the proper container, and public intoxication on a controlled substance that excludes alcohol.

Bardstown Police Lyn Davis visited the business at 128 Jones Ave. to examine jewelry Porter purchased. During the visit, Davis located a plastic bag of green plant material that field tested as marijuana, and a pipe that was stored with his inventory. Police also found digital scales, rolling papers and hemostats.

Police also determined Porter was in violation of city pawn shop regulations, including failure to keep a daily register. Porter is also alleged to have counterfeit jewelry marked as real, and admitted to police he had smoke marijuana inside the business.

Bardstown Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact them at (502) 348-6811.