KSP: Another man charged with drug offenses as search continues for missing Ohio County child

Graphic by Owensboro Times

Another person faces charges as Kentucky State Police continue their search for an 8-month-old child reported missing from Ohio County, although again the offenses are specifically related to the drug. The search for the child continues.

Authorities have been searching for 8-month-old Miya Rudd since early June. Eight people – including the child's parents and two grandparents – have been arrested so far, although not all of the charges are directly related to the missing child. Read here for our detailed coverage of the investigation so far, including a timeline of arrests and charges.

On Thursday, KSP announced that Brodie C. Payne, 28, was indicted for his role in the illegal drug operation organized at the Rudd residence.

Payne was charged with first degree trafficking in a controlled substance (more than 2 grams – methamphetamine), trafficking in legendary drugs, trafficking in marijuana, engaging in organized crime, possession of paraphernalia and endangerment free in the first degree, according to KSP.

Payne was served by KSP at the Daviess County Detention Center. According to the release, the Daviess County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) initiated a drug investigation into Payne months before his arrest by KSP.

The investigation revealed that Payne used USPS to facilitate his drug trafficking operations, KSP said. Investigators coordinated with the United States Postal Inspection Service and Kentucky State Police (DE/SI) and arrested Payne on May 20 with 0.5 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 0.75 pounds of pills suspected to contain fentanyl.

Payne had been staying with Rudd in Reynolds Station for approximately 6 months before his arrest, according to KSP.

The investigation is ongoing.