MOREHEAD, Ky. — A firefighter traveling to Ecuador for a job interview was arrested and jailed after a suitcase given to him by the employers interviewing him was lined with three kilograms of cocaine.
Dennis Walling is a firefighter with the Morehead Volunteer Fire Department and also has been involved with the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Rowan County EMS.
The Morehead News reported that Walling found an opening for a security position with AirServ International RAM. The company allegedly offered to fly firefighter Walling to Ecuador to interview for the position, according to the report.
“He was only supposed to be gone from April 1 until April 8,” his wife, Sarah Walling, said. “I told him I didn’t have a good feeling about it before he got on the airplane.”
On April 21, firefighter Walling was scheduled to fly back to the U.S. when drug dogs targeted his suitcase at the airport and he was arrested, according to the report.
The suitcase was given to him by the representative of AirServ, who had also supplied him with living expenses after his personal suitcase had broken during the trip.
The new suitcase was found lined with three kilograms of cocaine, according to the report.
“We have been told he could be facing up to 16 years in prison or as few as two to four,” his wife said. “I know he did not do this. He is completely against drugs and has worked his entire life to help save people.”
His wife has been in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador and had firefighter Willing moved to a prison hospital, according to the report.
“He is not well. He has Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure and recently had surgery on his leg,” she said.
She is hoping the speed at which she retained an attorney and the evidence she feels she has been gathered will help clear her husband of the charges, according to the report.
“Most of all we need prayers,” she said. “So many people are praying and we are thankful for some of the things that have happened regarding the situation but it is very hard. I have to tell our sons that their daddy won’t be home and I keep thinking he is just going to be home when I get there.”