Meth-spiking Suspect Now Facing Kidnapping Charges Involving Same Victim

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 the victim to leave her phone at the residence, forced her into the passenger seat of her Jeep Grand Cherokee, and drove them off in the vehicle.

At approximately 6:00pm on April 23rd, Knox County Sgt. Jesse Smith and Deputy Elijah Broughton, with the assistance of the Barbourville Police Department and the US Marshals Service - Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force London Office, received a tip that the vehicle Asher was driving was traveling south bound on Ky Hwy 11 near Swan Pond Road in Barbourville, KY.

Knox and Barbourville units observed the vehicle and conducted a felony traffic stop and Asher was taken into custody without incident. The victim was found with minor physical injuries.

Asher was previously arrested in February 2026 for Assault - 2nd Degree for spiking this same victim’s coffee with Methamphetamine on Christmas day 2025. He was subsequently released on bond in that case.

Shawn Asher was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center charged with:

Burglary - 2nd Degree

Kidnapping - Adult

Strangulation - 2nd Degree - (Domestic Violence)

Violation of an Electronic Protection Order (EPO)

Unlawful Imprisonment - 2nd Degree

Assault 4th Degree - Domestic Violence Minor Injury

The Knox County Sheriff's Department, Barbourville Police Department and US Marshals Service - Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force are all involved in this ongoing investigation.