January 2023 – Page 6 – kentuckystatepolice.org

Kentucky State Police Investigates Fatal Breathitt County Crash

Southfork, Ky. (January 6, 2023) – On Thursday, January 5, 2023, at approximately 8:32 P.M, Kentucky State Police, Post 13, Hazard, received a call of a single vehicle accident on KY 1098 in the Southfork community of Breathitt County.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Chad Wesley Hardin, 31 of Ezel was operating a black 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to lose control. The vehicle traveled off the roadway striking a tree. The Breathitt County Coroners Office responded to the scene and pronounced Hardin deceased along with a passenger in the vehicle John Raymond Hardin, 29 of Jackson.

No seat belts were in use at the time of the collision. Toxicology and autopsy results are currently pending. This incident remains under investigation by Trooper Justin Baker. Trooper Baker was assisted on scene by reconstructionist Trooper Jarret Fields.

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Breathitt County Fire Leaves One Person Dead

Clayhole, Ky. (January 6, 2023) – On Thursday, January 5, 2023 at approximately 1:06 P.M, Kentucky State Police, Post 13, Hazard, received a call in reference to a structure fire on Cedar Hill Rd. in the Clayhole community of Breathitt County.

Multiple surrounding fire agencies responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. During this time, human remains were located inside the residence. Detectives with Kentucky State Police responded to the scene and launched an investigation.

The Breathitt County Coroner’s office responded to the scene and pronounced the unknown male subject deceased. The remains were sent to the medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for identification and autopsy. This incident remains under investigation by Detective Chris Collins.

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Kentucky State Police Arrests Logan County High School Teacher on Sexual Offenses

Russellville, Ky. (January 5, 2023) – On Thursday, January 5, 2023, the Kentucky State Police, Bowling Green Post was contacted about allegations of a teacher at Logan County High School who was having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

As a result of the initial investigation, Benjamin A. Adams, 26 years old of Bowling Green, KY, has been arrested and lodged in the Logan County Jail. He is charged with Sodomy 3rd Degree and Sexual Abuse 1st Degree.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by KSP Post 3 Detectives.

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Kentucky State Police Charge Juvenile for Assault on Police Officer at McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center

PADUCAH, Ky. (January 5, 2023) – Kentucky State Police (KSP), Post 1 received a call on Jan. 4 at approximately 5:00pm CT, reporting that a juvenile detained at the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center had assaulted a detective with the Hopkinsville Police Department.

Troopers determined that Detective Robert Stucki of the Hopkinsville Police Department was at the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center attempting to execute a court order signed by a Christian County Circuit Court Judge pertaining to a juvenile detained at the facility. Upon Detective Stucki’s explanation to and execution of the court order to the juvenile, the juvenile became combative toward Detective Stucki, placing his arms around Detective Stucki, lifting him up and slamming him to the floor. In the course of the juvenile’s assault against Detective Stucki, the juvenile also damaged personal property of Detective Stucki.

As a result of the investigation, KSP charged one juvenile with one (1) count of assault, 3rd degree – police officer, and one (1) count of criminal mischief, 3rd degree. The juvenile remains detained at the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

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Kentucky State Police Charges Adair County Man with Solicitation of Murder

COLUMBIA, Ky. (January 5, 2023) – On January 3, 2023, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 was contacted by the Adair County Detention Center in regards to a suspicious letter that an inmate being lodged at the detention center had attempted to send out in the mail.

KSP Troopers launched an investigation after receiving the letter that the detention center staff had intercepted. Troopers learned that Paul Bricker, age 37 of Columbia, had attempted to send a letter in the mail, while incarcerated, soliciting the murder of another individual. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Bricker was arrested and charged with Solicitation of Murder. Mr. Bricker remained lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.

Trooper Dean Lunz continues his investigation.

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Kentucky State Police Arrests Greenup Resident For Rape and Incest

ASHLAND, Ky. (January 5, 2023) – On December 9, 2022, Kentucky State Police, Post 14 was made aware of sex abuse allegations that occurred to a female juvenile. During the investigation, detectives identified the offender as Justin McDowell and obtained warrants through Greenup County for two counts of Rape 2^nd Degree – No Force and two counts of Incest – Forcible Compulsion/Incapable of Consent or U/18 YOA.

On January 4, 2023, Mr. McDowell was located at a residence in Ashland, KY. While attempting to arrest Mr. McDowell, a brief altercation ensued with detectives. Mr. McDowell brandished a knife at which point he was disarmed and taken into custody. He was transported to KDMC where he was treated and released to Boyd County Detention Center. Mr. McDowell was charged with 2 counts of Rape 2^nd Degree – No Force, 2 counts of Incest – Forcible Compulsion/Incapable of Consent or U/18 YOA and numerous bench warrants. Detective Sam Lawson is handling the investigation and further charges in Boyd County are pending.

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Kentucky State Police Post 3 Traffic Safety Checkpoint Announcement

Bowling Green, KY (January 4, 2023) – The Kentucky State Police would like to offer periodic reminders to drivers who travel our roadways. Our agency strives daily to ensure the safety of the motoring public. Some of these proactive measures include various traffic safety checkpoints and saturating known problematic areas in the district through general patrol tactics.

The Kentucky State Police utilizes traffic safety checkpoints to promote safety for motorists using the public roadways and to provide a deterrent for those who violate laws contained in the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

The intent of a traffic safety checkpoint is to provide for a high visibility, public safety service, focusing on operator impairment, vehicular equipment deficiencies (confirming appropriate registration and insurance of vehicles) and the valid licensing of drivers. Other violations of law and/or other public safety issues that arise will be addressed.

These checkpoints will allow the Kentucky State Police the opportunity to periodically concentrate its efforts in checking for violations of Kentucky traffic and regulatory laws that will ultimately increase the safety of the citizens within the Commonwealth.

Post 3 serves the following counties: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Simpson and Warren County.

Traffic Safety checkpoint locations in the Post 3 District may be located at our web site: http://kentuckystatepolice.org/post3checkpoints/

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Kentucky State Police Investigates Fatal Collision on US 127 in Russell County

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (January 4, 2023) – On January 2, 2023 at approximately 5:47 P.M. CST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on US 127 in Russell County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Alex Fabian Lopez Entzin, age 23 of Russell Springs, was traveling south on US 127 in a 2013 Ford Escape when he met a 2022 GMC Terrain traveling north on US 127. The two vehicles collided in a head-on manner on US 127. The GMC Terrain was being operated by Wanda Wethington, age 75 of Russell Springs.

Mrs. Wethington was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Russell County Coroner. Mr. Entzin was transported to University of Kentucky Hospital with life threatening injuries.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Russell County Fire and EMS, Russell County Rescue Squad, and Russell County Coroner. The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Weston Sullivan.

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Kentucky State Police Post 11 Traffic Safety Checkpoint Announcement

LONDON, KY. (January 04, 2023)- The Kentucky State Police, London Post which provides coverage for Clay, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne and Whitley counties, will be conducting periodic traffic safety checkpoints at approved by the Kentucky State Police Policy and Procedures Manual. These checkpoints will be conducted in an effort to enforce the traffic laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Special attention will be paid to occupant protection (seatbelt adherence). Sobriety, insurance and registration violations.

A complete list of traffic safety checkpoint’s location can be found at http://kentuckystatepolice.org/post-locations/post-11/post-11-checkpoints/

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Kentucky State Police Traffic Safety Checkpoint

CAMPBELLSBURG, Ky. (01/03/2023) –The Kentucky State Police Post 5 in Campbellsburg, which provides coverage for Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Oldham, Owen, and Trimble counties, will be conducting periodic traffic safety checkpoints at approved locations in accordance with Kentucky State Police Policy. These checkpoints will be conducted in an effort to enforce the traffic laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Special attention will be paid to occupant protection (seatbelt adherence), sobriety, insurance, and registration violations. A complete list of traffic safety checkpoint locations can be found at http://kentuckystatepolice.org/post5checkpoints

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