Harlan Man Arrested After Making Threats Against Local Pastor And Others

From WRIL The Big One -

Jimmy Turner - HCDC

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Kentucky State Police and SRT units, and Harlan County Sheriff’s Department joined forces to apprehend a Big Laurel man for initially making threats from June 9, 2025, through June 11, 2025, to kill a pastor of a local church.

The man identified by police as 58-year-old Jimmy Turner is accused of having a gun on his side and making a direct threat to the pastor while 45 children were at the church when the threat was made.

Turner is also accused of making threats to two other Big Laurel community members on June 11, 2025.  According to the citation, Harlan County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by one of the victims about the incident. 

When law enforcement located Turner “he immediately took a fighting stance and place his hand on his gun” and began to lift it from its holster.  Deputies order Turner to take his hand off the gun and he fled the scene on foot. 

On Friday, SRT made entry onto Turner’s property executing a search and arrest warrant.  Within minutes of officers making entry, Turner Came out of his home and surrendered to authorities.  Harlan County Sheriff Chris

Sheriff Brewer tells us that Sgt. Mark Saylor made the arrest, lodging Turner in the Harlan County Detention Center charging him with terroristic threatening – 2nd degree, wanton endangerment – 1st degree (police officer), and fleeing or evading police – 1st degree (on foot).