On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Hensel conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram after observing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and making an erratic and unsafe lane change near the I-40 exit on Highway 111. At the time, Deputy Hensel had been assisting a motorist in the area and was cleared to pursue the vehicle.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was identified as Ronald Allen Roper of Glasgow, Kentucky. Upon making contact with Mr. Roper, Deputy Hensel observed signs of possible impairment. Mr. Roper was incoherent in his responses and claimed to suffer from undiagnosed narcoleptic episodes, stating that he had been stopped earlier that day in Sparta, TN for similar driving behavior.

Deputy Hensel then requested that Mr. Roper exit the vehicle and empty his pockets. During this process, an uncapped syringe containing a clear liquid fell out of Mr. Roper’s pocket. When questioned, Mr. Roper admitted the substance in the syringe was “speed.”

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered another syringe containing a clear liquid, a digital scale, and approximately 23.75 grams of a white crystal-like substance. Mr. Roper was placed under arrest and charged with Manufacture, Delivery, and Sale of Methamphetamine, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Roper has a bond set at $61,500 and a court date of May 21, 2025.