It’s a family affair as three Hartford sisters, Hawesville man are arrested on meth trafficking, child endangerment charges

jessica-westerfield-03-21
jessica-westerfield-03-21

While searching for a subject wanted on two indictment warrants, multiple law enforcement agencies arrested three Hartford sisters and a Hawesville resident on drug trafficking and child endangerment charges.

Ohio County Sheriff Tracy Beatty said his office, along with the Hartford Police Department and Kentucky State Police served arrest warrants on 40-year-old Jeffrey Melton, of Hawesville, at a residence on Hwy 231 in Hartford at approximately 6:30 Monday night.

When police made contact with the occupants of the home, they were told Melton was not there. Police asked for an received permission from the occupants to search the residence and found Melton hiding in a crawl space. Police also located a large quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, a loaded handgun, and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Beatty said authorities arrested Melton, and three sisters, 35-year-old Charley Aldridge, 30-year-old Alicia Ralph and 40-year-old Jessica Westerfield and charged each with trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melton was also charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance (Xanax), along with the two indictment warrants. The three sisters received an additional charge of hindering prosecution or apprehension.

All four subjects were lodged in the Ohio County Detention Center.

Charley Aldridge
Alicia Ralph
Jeffery Melton

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000