Man charged for his role in illegal drug operation held at residence of missing baby

REYNOLDS STATION, Ky. (WBKO) - Kentucky State Police troopers have charged a man for his role in the illegal drug operation held at the residence of missing 8-month-old, Miya Rudd.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) started a drug trafficking investigation on 28-year-old Brodie C. Payne of Reynolds Station months before his arrest.

The investigation revealed Payne was using USPS to facilitate his drug trafficking operation. Investigators coordinated with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Kentucky State Police DE/SI. He was arrested on May 20 with 1/2 lb of meth and approximately 3/4 lb of suspected fentanyl-laced pills.

Payne had been residing at the Rudd household for approximately six months before his arrest.

He was served by Kentucky State Police at the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro.

He was charged with first-degree trafficking in controlled substance, (greater than 2 grams - methamphetamine), trafficking of legend drugs, trafficking marijuana, engaging in organized crime, possession of paraphernalia, and first-degree wanton endangerment.

The investigation is ongoing.

As of now, eight people have been arrested in the investigation of the missing baby.

You can find an entire timeline of the investigation below: