From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky Austin Hawk - LCCC A London, Ky., man, Austin Hawk, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday to 165 months by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to his plea agreement, from September 25, 2022, through October 25, 2022, Hawk transported a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Hawk left Laurel

From WRIL The Big One - Citing cost-cutting measures that would strengthen and streamline the water company for Pineville and the Bell County area, Pineville City Council held a special-called meeting on Tuesday evening June 2nd. During the meeting, the council held the first reading of an ordinance "pertaining to the control and operation of the Pineville Water Works." The ordinance reads"the City of Pineville, Kentucky wishes to repeal the Municipal Utility Commission. T

From the Harlan County Sheriff's Department - Marquis Long - HCDC Marquis Long was arrested in the early hours of Monday, June 1st in the Lynch community after a coordinated effort between multiple agencies. Through investigation it was determined that after escaping custody Long was hiding in Wise County Virginia. Long fled prior to the arrival of the Norton Police Department and Wise County Sheriff's Office. On Sunday, May 31st, information was provided by the Lynch Polic

From the Knox County Ky Sheriff's Department - Kameron Adams - KCDC Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputies have been assisting Moline Illinois Police Department Detectives throughout their investigation into a child pornography case involving a Corbin man. Knox County Deputies have been conducting interviews, executing a search warrant, securing and forwarding evidence to the Moline Police Department investigators. After reviewing the evidence, a fugitive warrant was obtained

From WRIL The Big One - James Gwinner - BCDC On Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 7:00pm Pineville Police Officer Patrick Brooks and Chief Brandon Hollingsworth responded to a complaint of an adult attempting to meet up with what he thought was a 14-year-old female. Upon arrival the officer states that he made contact with the caller who presented messages from an app called “Meet Me”, as well as text messages sent via telephone. In the messages, 43-year-old James Mich

From The Knox Ky Sheriff's Department - On Friday, May 22, 2026, at approximately 9:55pm, Knox County Deputies were dispatched to South KY 233 in the Gray community in regard to a fatal collision. The preliminary investigation determined that a vehicle struck an individual on the roadway. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased by the Knox County coroner. The identity of the individual is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Barbourville Police Department is

From The Bell County Ky Sheriff's Department - On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Bell County Deputies traveled to 410 27th Street in Middlesboro to apprehend 37-year-old Tina Mullins wanted on an outstanding warrant. While apprehending Mullins inside the residence, suspected Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seen in plain view. An individual living in the home was asked and gave consent to search the residence. Tina Mullins was found inside and was secured while Detectiv

From The Knox County Ky Sheriff's Department - On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Knox County Deputies responded to a complaint of two small children outside in the neighborhood unattended on Caldwell Street in Corbin. When the deputies arrived they made contact with a two (2) year old male child, naked from the waist down, and a four (4) year old female child. The children lead the deputies to their residence where contact was made with the parents. The deputies also observed three

From The Bell County Ky Sheriff's Department - Jeff Howard - BCDC On Monday, May 18, 2026, A multi-agency arrest and search warrant was executed at Howard's Market and 57-year-old Jeff Howard's residence near Pathfork in reference to illegal logging and timber theft. During the search, Howard and the residents at the home were charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty. Jeff Howard was additionally charged with theft by unlawful taking over $10,000, but under $1,000,000, afte

From the Bell County Sheriff's Department - Ova B Collett - Previous Arrest Early Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Bell County Deputies were attempting to serve Bell and Laurel County warrants on 39-year-old Ova Brandon Collett of Pineville at a residence on Highway 92. Collett fled the scene and was later identified as the driver that endangered Bell County highway department workers almost striking them while he sped away from deputies. While traveling at speeds over 100mph, Sgt.

From WRIL - The Big One - Monroe Patton Smith - CCJ As we previously reported in 2023, Claiborne County officers were dispatched to a Paul Smith Lane residence in New Tazewell in regard to a report of child sexual abuse. Deputy Cindy O'Mary spoke with the aunt of a 4-year-old female victim who stated she discovered multiple "exploitive" images of her niece on her phone which had been used on several occasions by 36-year-old Monroe Patton Smith of Tazewell. After consent to se

From WRIL The Big One - Brandon Hale - CCJ In March of 2025 we reported that then 29-year-old Brandon Michael Hale of Jacksboro was being investigated for sexual offenses. Claiborne County Detective Niki McGeorge along with Investigator Brianna Green from the Department of Children Services, became familiar with sexual abuse incidents involving Hale and a female juvenile. Through the investigation, victim’s statement, and home video footage, it was determined that in the earl

From WRIL The Big One - Clark Burnett - BCDC On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Post 10 Dispatch was contacted by Child Protective Services regarding a referral received from a mental health facility in Pineville, KY. The referral detailed allegations involving a juvenile victim. The investigation, led by KSP Trooper Abner, alleges that 56-year-old Clark Burnett of Pineville is responsible for sexual behavior involving a female victim since the age of 12. On Wednesday May 6, 2026

From The Barbourville PD/Mountain Advocate - Update from the Mountain Advocate: A second person has been arrested on charges related to this case. 22-year-old Rachel Baker of Bimble Ky., was arrested Monday, May 4, 2026, and charged with Possession of Matter Portraying Sexual Performance by a Minor under the age of 12 and Distribution of Matter Portraying the Sexual Performance by a Minor under the age of 12 following the arrest of Bradley Kyle Yeager on Sunday. ____________

From WRIL The Big One - Stephanie Lynn Murrell - BCDC On Sunday morning May 3, 2026, at approximately 1:54am, Pineville Police responded to a well-being request at a Forest Street address. The call to Bell County Dispatch advised that an individual’s brother was being abused by the daughter of a woman later identified as Stephanie Lynn Murrell. The caller also said the brother had been threatened with a firearm at the residence and that if officers approached, they would be

From WRIL The Big One - 35-year-old Shawn King of Middlesboro, Ky. was arrested on July 10, 2024, charged with trafficking in controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense (greater than 2 grams - Methamphetamine). He was later indicted on the charge and a two-day jury trial march 30th and April 1st, was held in Bell Circuit Court. The Commonwealth was represented by Mr. Mike Taylor, Mr. Danny Smith, and Mr. John Blevins. Mr. King was represented by Mr. Levi Turner. Both par

From The Knox Ky Sheriff's Department - On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. Knox County 911 recieved a call of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 25E, just South of Higgins Rd. The preliminary investigation determined that a 2001 Mercury Sable operated by 73-year-old Alfred Smith of Corbin, Ky was making a left turn from North 25E on to KY 1232 when he crossed into the path of a 2025 Chevy Silverado operated by 29-year-old Cody Cox of Pineville, Ky. Mr. Cox was t

From US Department of Justice - Clinton Everett Hahn - LCCC LONDON, Ky. – 52-year-old Clinton Everett Hahn, was sentenced on Monday, April 27, 2026, to 45 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for being a felon in possession of firearms. Hahn, a resident of Missouri, was required to register as a sex offender based on a Statutory Rape, Second Degree, conviction. He absconded from Missouri and was ultimately located by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force

From WRIL The Big One - Michael Howard - HCDC As we previously reported, at approximatley 7:00pm Saturday night April 25, 2026, Kentucky State Police and Harlan County Sheriff's Department responded to a reported domestic violence incident involving a knife. Once on scene, Troopers and Deputies made contact with a family member of the suspected attacker who stated both individuals were inside the home. According to the citation, KSP troopers entered the home and were met by

From the Knox County Ky Sheriff's Department and US Marshals Service - Shawn Asher - KCDC On Wednesday April 23, 2026, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about a possible kidnapping from the 8000 Block of KY 1232, Corbin, KY, involving an adult female victim and an adult male suspect later identified as 38-year-old Shawn Asher. Asher is alleged to have broken in the victim's home and was waiting for her. An argument between the two ensued and Asher forced