Authorities are investigating a hostage situation in Marshall County that led to the arrest of a Benton man on multiple charges.
According to Kentucky State Police Post 1 in Mayfield, state troopers and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible hostage situation around 10:15 Monday morning on Wadesboro Road in Benton where they observed 41 year old Ronald T. Fleet outside his residence holding a rifle. Police say he then retreated behind the home before coming back out without the firearm and he was taken into custody without incident.
KSP says the preliminary investigation revealed that Fleet held his girlfriend, 33 year old Melissa Buchanan of Benton, and 2 juveniles, ages 8 and 12, against their will inside the residence through the early morning hours Monday, until at some point, Buchanan was able to contact a family member who called authorities. During the late hours of the morning Monday and prior to the arrival of officers, the juveniles had reportedly been allowed to leave the residence and were found unharmed by officers at a neighbor’s home.
During a consent to search the residence, authorities say they found a long gun, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Fleet was lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, first degree Wanton Endangerment, first degree Unlawful Imprisonment, first degree Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Public Intoxication.