Additional charges are filed in illegal drug operation in Missouri, Kentucky

CHARLESTON -- An East Prairie man now faces additional charges in an alleged marijuana operation which crossed into Kentucky.

The Mississippi County Sheriff's Department reported Richard Eugene "Rick" Hensley, 48, was charged by Ballard County, Ky., authorities with three counts of cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, with a bond of $150,000 cash only. Currently Hensley is being held at the Mississippi County Detention Center in lieu of $150,000 bond on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to distribute.

Also charged by Kentucky authorities was Cynthia Ellis Haney, 39, the ex-wife of Hensley, according to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore. Haney, a former resident of East Prairie, received a grand jury indictment from the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Aug. 8 with charges of cultivation of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence. Also Haney is charged with possession of several firearms belonging to a Hensley who is a convicted felon, the Sheriff noted. Currently Haney is incarcerated at the Ballard Detention Center in Paducah, Ky., with a bond set at $50,000 cash. Moore said charges are pending against her in Mississippi County as well.

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