Convicted Murderer & Passenger Arrested

By Jessie Williams

A convicted murderer out of Kentucky and his passenger were arrested in Macon County last week following a traffic stop that resulted in the discovery of a loaded gun, drugs and drug paraphernalia.

According to reports filed by Sergeant Clinton Friar of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, it was around 3 a.m. on March 26, 2025 when he observed a U-Haul traveling east on Highway 52 with a non-functioning license plate light.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, 52-year-old Anthony Watkins, and his passenger, 48-year-old Riley Nash.

As Sergeant Friar was issuing a warning citation to Mr. Watkins, a K-9 Deputy deployed his K-9 partner, Ghost, to conduct a free-air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle.

Ghost did indicate the odor of narcotics was coming from the vehicle, and a search of the U-Haul and its contents was conducted.

Inside the U-Haul officers located a black bag containing a loaded 9 mm firearm, a digital scale with a crystalized substance believed to be methamphetamine on it, a tin can containing the same crystalized substance, four hypodermic needles and several clear, plastic baggies.

When asked if he was a convicted felon, Mr. Watkins admitted he was a convicted felon for burglary. When dispatch printed out his criminal history however, it showed he was a convicted felon out of Kentucky for murder, robbery, 1st degree criminal attempted murder and a list of other charges.

Both men denied ownership of the firearm, methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

Watkins was charged with simple possession, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm during a violent felony, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

Riley was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a violent felony.

They are scheduled to appear in general sessions court on May 7, 2025.