Published: June 22, 2009 10:02 am      

High rolling drug bust

Judge Caperton’s limo found in possession of alleged drug dealer

By Stephen Woodward / Middlesboro Daily News

ARJAY — A local elected official’s limousine was found in possession of an alleged Bell County drug dealer yesterday during a drug raid by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department.

Ricky Napier, of Sims Fork in the Arjay community, was found in possession of a 1994 black limousine registered to Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Michael Caperton — who represents Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, among others — when authorities arrested Napier at his home for first-degree charges of drug trafficking.

When questioned by police about the limousine parked in his carport, Napier told officers that the limousine belonged to a “Supreme Court Judge”. Sources indicated to the Daily News that the limousine was registered to Caperton.

Caperton confirmed that he owns the limousine and that he knows Rick Napier.

Caperton said he traded the limousine to Napier in exchange for yard work on his property.

“He wanted to trade his labor for a down payment [on the limousine],” explained Caperton, who lives in London. “He just picked it up a couple of days ago. He ain’t paid me for it completely.”

Caperton also said Napier just wanted to “borrow” the vehicle.

Caperton said Napier was his acquaintance from two or three years back, and he likely met him when he was campaigning in 2007, though he couldn’t say for sure.

When asked why Napier would come to his house in London seeking the limousine when he hadn’t seen Napier in years, Caperton said, “I’m guessing he drove by sometime. He came and said he wanted to borrow it.”

Caperton said he was shocked when told that Napier was arrested for drug dealing in Bell County.

“If he’s dealing in drugs, he ought to be picked up...” Caperton said. “I certainly would not associate with drug dealers.”

Caperton said Napier was accompanied by four other men, who assisted with the yard work, when they came to his house for the limousine.

Caperton was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals on Nov. 6, 2007, and represents Division 1 of the 3rd Appellate District.

Before that, Caperton served for 14 years as a District Court judge for the 27th District, which consists of Knox and Laurel counties. He was elected district judge in 1994 and served until he was sworn in as Court of Appeals judge in December 2007.

Napier was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center on Thursday.