The Juneau Police Department arrested multiple people at a residence after an officer followed a car driving at unsafe speeds through the construction near Floyd Dryden Middle School on Thursday morning.
“It was fast enough to where it seemed unsafe in that area,” said Lt. Krag Campbell, “This was obviously driving way too fast.”
Upon arriving at a residence on the 8400 block of Nugget Drive, JPD officers attempted to make contact with the driver. After several minutes of knocking on the door and failure to make contact, officers contacted a City and Borough of Juneau code compliance officer, who contacted the homeowner of the residence directly.
“We’re familiar with this residence from past calls,” Campbell said. “It’s condemned.”
JPD officers arrested three and cited three after gaining entry to the residence. Jonathan Henry Smith was taken into custody while attempting to run out the back door.
The driver of the automobile, Michael Allen Lepley, 53, was arrested for reckless driving, driving with a revoked license and violating conditions of release. Smith, 48, was arrested on a JPD warrant and reckless or intentional violation. Benjamin Hyrum Bingham, 37, was arrested for probation violation and reckless or intentional violation. Amber Lynn Farnham, 30; Ashley Nicole Stansell, 32; and Daniel Watson Isaacs, 38; were cited and released for reckless or intentional violation.
Charges may be issued against the homeowner, who was not charged with anything at this time, Campbell said.
“The homeowner is required not to allow those people to reside there,” Campbell said. “That neighborhood has been dealing with that residence for a long time.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or lockett@juneauempire.com.
