From The Bell County Sheriff's Department -
What appeared to be a standard traffic stop in Bell County, Kentucky after a man was “acting strange” in Knox County has turned out to be much more serious as area law enforcement thwarted plans of a would-be terrorist.
Bell County Deputy/Det. Hunter Luttrell states that he was made aware of an incident on January 27, 2025, involving 23-year-old Maurya Hemendra Bharwad of India acting strangely at a church in Knox County. A Knox County Deputy had reported that Bharwad had been coming to the church, opening doors to classrooms and interrupting classes. Knox County deputies also stated that Bharwad had been recently fired from admissions at a local college after an anonymous tip of sexual harassment.
Deputy Luttrell also states that on January 31st, Barbourville Police advised Bharwad had gone to Blue Line Tactical attempting to purchase a firearm but lied on the form and became irate with the staff, threatening them when he was told there would be a delay in the background check. After he left the store, the business operator turned the information and Bharwad's identification to Barbourville Police, which led to a “Be-On-The-Lookout” for the man.
Based on the behavior of Bharwad, Deputy Luttrell stated that a warrant would have to be issued to search his Bell County residence on Highway 92. Barbourville Police advised that warrants were being issued and ICE/Homeland Security would be holding him on a detainer due to being in the country illegally.
While still in contact with Barbourville Police and sitting at a patrol location in Pineville, a vehicle matching the make and model of Bharwad’s passed the Bell County Deputies Luttrell and Fuson, along with Pineville Officer Patrick Brooks, traveling northbound on Highway 25E.
Officer Brooks attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop on US25E and instead turned into the Dollar General parking lot. He had to be boxed in due to aggressive driving in the lot. The driver, later identified as Bharwad, began taunting officers multiple times as if waving firearms from his window. Due to the severity of the situation, officers had to deploy non-lethal rubber rounds to break the window forcing him to exit the vehicle.
After a lengthy struggle, Bharwad was finally taken into custody. No firearm was found in his possession. He was taken to Barbourville ARH for a blood draw but refused.
According to the February 27th indictment, he was interviewed by Sgt. Adam Townsley and ICE agent Frank Kenyon at Barbourville Police headquarters, stating at one point that he “needed a gun for his itchy trigger finger”. He also stated he looked up how to make a bomb, planned to commit criminal acts in New York City and “shut the city down”. Bharwad also admitted he was addicted to marijuana and was high when he attempted the firearm purchase. He also admitted he was not in the country legally.
He was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center. Deputy Luttrell charged Bharwad with DUI and resisting arrest, while Barbourville Police charged him with menacing and disorderly conduct – 2nd degree. He was also charged with contempt of court and is being held without bond.
The federal indictment further states that Bharwad “did knowingly make a false written statement in connection with the attempted acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer and intended to deceive the dealer with respect to a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of a firearm in Knox County, Kentucky.”
Bharwad has a Knox County court date of Tuesday March 4th in district court.
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