MORGANTOWN, KY — A Sunday morning traffic stop on Interstate 165 ended with a Paducah man being taken to jail after Kentucky State Police say they found marijuana, a loaded handgun and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. Troopers reported the car was traveling 90 mph in a 70 mph zone near Morgantown when they pulled it over. The driver was identified in a uniform citation as 20-year-old Ny Yon Fitzgerald of Paducah. He now faces multiple charges tied to the stop.
Speeding Led to Stop
According to the citation, troopers first noticed the vehicle for moving 20 miles per hour over the posted limit on the interstate. Once the stop was made, authorities say they detected a strong smell of marijuana coming from inside the car. That odor prompted further attention from officers at the scene. The stop took place Sunday morning in Butler County, where Interstate 165 runs near Morgantown.
Police say Fitzgerald was reaching into the center console and told officers he was armed. Troopers then instructed him to get out of the vehicle before conducting a search.
Search Turned Up Evidence
During the vehicle search, authorities say they located a loaded handgun, a large bag of marijuana, digital scales and additional items they described as paraphernalia. Troopers estimated the marijuana weighed about one-half pound. Fitzgerald, however, told authorities the amount was closer to one-quarter pound. The citation did not say whether the firearm was seized from the console area or another part of the vehicle.
The discovery of scales along with the marijuana was cited by investigators as part of the basis for the drug trafficking allegation.
Jail Transfer And Charges
After the stop, Fitzgerald was taken to the Butler County Jail without any reported incident. The case file lists several charges stemming from the encounter, including speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit, failure to produce an insurance card, trafficking in marijuana, first offense, and drug paraphernalia possession or purchase. The citation identifies him as the vehicle’s driver and says the encounter happened on Sunday morning.
No injuries were reported, and the available information does not indicate that troopers said anyone else was in the vehicle.
What The Case Means
For state police, the case began as a routine traffic enforcement stop and quickly grew into a more serious criminal investigation after the odor of marijuana was detected. The citation says the driver’s speed, the smell coming from the car and the items found inside all played a role in the arrest. The charges filed against Fitzgerald will be handled through the court process in Butler County.
The report does not say when he is scheduled to appear in court or whether additional charges are possible.
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