Man Arrested After Setting Up Road Blockade

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Posted: 12:00 PM Jul 8, 2008
Last Updated: 1:07 PM Jul 8, 2008

20 comments

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Hand grenades, dynamite and even booby trapped shotguns. These are all things state police say an eastern Kentucky man used to block people from driving along a public road.

Investigators say the man set up a blockade across the road in front of his home in rural Carter County, so police called in a SWAT team to deal with it.

It happened on the 4th of July on Short Ridge Road, just outside of Olive Hill.

Police say Clarence Lyons stretched a cable barricade across the road in front of his home, blocking neighbors from driving in or out. Lyons' wife says her husband was upset about a possible development encroaching his land.

Court records show Lyons told police he was prepared to defend his property with his life. Her reportedly said he would shoot it out with any police officers who showed up and that had set up shotgun booby traps in the woods.

Police say a search of the property turned up an arsenal of assault weapons, twenty to 30 thousand rounds of ammunition, several inert hand grenades and a large amount of dynamite-like high powered explosive equipment.

Clarence Lyons was charged with 198 counts of possession of a destructive booby trap device. His wife claims he is a gun collector.

Lyons is in the Carter County Jail, being held on a half million dollar bond.

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Posted by: S Location: Olive Hill on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Do you relize that what he is claiming for his land that is taken is the road that has been here for 25 to 30 years. It is a county road that leads to other peoples homes that has nothing to do with this. But punish them because he wants to claim a road. This is the third time he has done this here. But this time he went to far by threating anyone that went on that road and that is what is wrong.

Posted by: Bill on Jul 11, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Well I guess people who haven't been robbed by the state, don't know how badly we are treated.Its time to take back Ky. from the Post Office Democrats and the Boss Hoggs that run it.Stand up for your rights.Support your neighbors,properity rights.Never vote for local democrats,they are dangerous,to the health of our communites.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:59 AM
I agree in someway and someway not. He should have not blocked a public roadway, not allowing people to leave their homes just to protect his home. but in a way I think he was in the right, he has a right to protect what is his, it is something that someone can't take away from you. but what i don't get is why did he have to use all the equiment that he used, and were did he get it all. i can see where people are comming from, what if he did kill one of those people that meant something to him, how would he fill then? His wife is o.k with all the guns and ammo in the house, man that is messed up if you ask me.

Posted by: S Location: Olive Hill on Jul 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Are you trying to say that it was okay for him to block a road where 4 families have lived there for 25-30 years? Then threaten them by saying that He will defend his blockade when the road is a public road way that has been there for many many years. When he has all this stuff to defend that pubic road with? The people that was kept from leaving their homes they own durning that time, what about them??? what is their rights??? What about thier story should it not be heard too? So who really gets the shaft here. Just because they are not violent people and allows the state police to do their jobs instead of taking matters in their own hands. To me there is right way to handle things and a wrong way. He was in the wrong.

Posted by: Regina Location: Winchester on Jul 10, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I am very glad to see that so many of you ( and me) have some "Kentucky" sense and realize that this man has rights and he is only doing what he can to keep what is his and possibly his Fathers and Grandfathers. "Kentucky Proud"

Posted by: Bill on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:43 AM
What other choice do we have but to fight back. Kentucky has no justice for our properity owners.We are jailed any time they want something.Treated like trash,and never paid for lands, that are taken.Ky is no longer a safe place to live,or own anthing.we are in much more danger from our state and co. goverments, then the crooks.Let him go,turn him loose.=="FREEDOM"==

Posted by: Rick Location: Georgetown on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I didn't think that it was against the law to have inert hand grenades.

Posted by: greg on Jul 10, 2008 at 07:02 AM
i support this man. let him go.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 01:46 AM
He sounds cool. Protect yours and fight the man.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 9, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Regina of Winchester, I was trying to provoke some uber-liberal-socialist-democratic outrage. Those ULSD's just ain't got a sense of humor.

Posted by: Regina Location: Winchester. on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Zatoichi- do you actually think someone is Eastern Kentucky would vote for OBAMA? Where are you from?

Posted by: James Location: Ky on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Exactly. Let the gov come in, take everything the man owns, his land...bla bla.....you blockade YOUR property, you get arrested. Don't worry folks, they'll be coming for you next. Wait til they beat on everyone's door, wanting guns. First they'll want your guns, then to see your papers, please.

Posted by: check Location: drawer on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:39 PM
this man is workin really hard for his SSI thats what it takes I tip my hat off to you rambo

Posted by: Michael Location: Nancy KY on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Join The RON PAUL Revolution ... Defend AMERICA And The CONSTITUTION..

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 05:08 PM
people gone nuts thes days..maybe its something in the water? or just lost there brains

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Darn, there goes the Obama for President committee chairman of Carter County. Maybe he will still get to vote before he becomes a convicted felon. If those Democrats ain't doing Satanic rituals they're building IED's.

Posted by: Rick Location: Lexington on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Why do stories like these always come from Eastern Kentucky?

Posted by: Regina Location: Winchester on Jul 8, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I think you guys forget how in some peoples minds the things they own ( especially family owned land ) is something people in this part of the country has and will continue to fight and die for.

Posted by: Dave Location: Garden Springs on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Short Bus Road?

Posted by: Me! Location: Ky on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:45 PM
We wonder why Kentuckians are labeled as "ignorant"!

Posted by: ? Location: ? on Jul 8, 2008 at 01:31 PM
I just wonder where did he get all the stuff at?

Posted by: me Location: richmond on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:31 PM
There is some "Crazy" people here in this world and I am glad I don't live near that one!!!

Posted by: anonymous Location: ky on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I'd have to have to do that report.

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