Laurel County Sheriff's Office

06/09/2026

*WEATHER REPORT*
Thunderstorms possible after 9 a.m., with locally heavy rain possible.
Please remember, if you observe water over the roadway, turn around don't drown!
Deputies are patrolling if you need assistance!
Please stay weather aware Laurel County, we care!
Reported June 9th, 2026 at 8 a.m.

06/08/2026

** ** M**h and multiple warrants arrest:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that : Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Tristen House Arrested Layton McQueen age 43 of East Bernstadt on Sunday evening June 7th 2026 at approximately 6:18 PM. The arrest occurred on KY490 approximately six miles north of London after Deputy House was dispatched to a complaint of a male subject creating a disturbance walking along the roadway. Deputy House was able to locate the suspect that matched the description given to him by London Laurel County 9/11 Communications Center. Upon conducting an investigation Deputy House learned that Mr McQueen had three outstanding warrants. Upon arrest this individual was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and a pipe. Layton McQueen was charged with possession of a controlled substance first Degree first offense methamphetamine; possession of Drug paraphernalia. In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court Bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court. Also, this individual was charged on a second Laurel District Court Bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court. This individual was also charged on a Laurel District Court Bench warrant of arrest charging non payment of court costs fees or fines. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.

*The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.

06/08/2026

** Trespass arrest:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that : Laurel Deputy Cyruss McVey arrested Charles Smith age 64 of Louisville, KY On Sunday afternoon June 7th 2026 at approximately 12:05 PM. The arrest occurred off Marydell Road approximately twelve miles east of London after Deputy McVey was dispatched by London - Laurel County 911 Communication Center to a complaint that a male subject was threatening an individual with a knife . Upon arrival at the scene Deputy McVey conducted an investigation and learned that allegedly Charles Smith was trespassing on property there. The complainant advised that the property was posted no trespassing and that this individual had been asked to leave on numerous occasions but refused to do so. This individual was found in a tent on the property and was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespassing 3rd Degree. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.

*The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.

06/08/2026

** Indictment warrant arrest:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that : Laurel Sheriff’s Deputy Ethan Brown arrested Johnny R. Bowling age 56 of London on Saturday night June 6th 2026 at approximately 8:50 PM. The arrest occurred off West Laurel Road approximately nine miles West of London After this subject was charged on a Laurel Circuit Court indictment warrant of arrest charging flagrant non support. In addition, this subject was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.

*The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack

06/08/2026

**Attention**
A strong thunderstorm is moving through the Laurel county area with the possibility of torrential downpours.
Remember if water is standing over the roadways turn around, don't drown.
Deputies are on patrol to assist
On any complaints.
Please stay aware and alert Laurel county!!
Reported 6-8-2026 @3 p.m.

**Storms expected to move out of Laurel County by 7 p.m.

06/08/2026

06/07/2026

**Murder-Suicide investigation in southern Laurel:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that : Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County, Sheriff’s Office, and Barbourville City Police Department are jointly investigating an apparent murder su***de which occurred June 6th 2026.
At approximately 10:43 PM Laurel County’s law enforcement were advised that Barbourville City Police was in pursuit of a red Chevrolet Cobalt regarding a reported possible domestic violence complaint that Knox County authorities had received after three individuals had apparently left a residence in Barbourville to go get something to eat. Parents became concerned and contacted Knox County dispatch in reference to a possible domestic violence situation. Barbourville City Police located the vehicle which failed to stop resulting in a pursuit into Laurel County from Knox County. The Pursuit terminated on KY312 in southern Laurel County when, during an attempt by Barbourville P.D. to box the fleeing vehicle in, the fleeing vehicle struck a vehicle and stopped. Laurel Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene shortly after the pursuit concluded. The bodies of three individuals were discovered inside the vehicle.
The deceased individuals were identified as: James Priddy age 21 of Bimble, KY, Jadeance Anne Marie Hale(alleged girlfriend to Priddy) age 18,Flatlick, Kira Lila Hope Asher age 19 of Lily.
All indications are that apparently James Priddy shot and killed Hale and Asher, then killed himself. The investigation remains ongoing by all three agencies..

Assisting at the scene were: Ambulance Inc of Laurel County, London Laurel Rescue Squad, West Knox Volunteer Fire Department, DPS, Corbin City police, KSP, And the Laurel County Coroner’s office.

*The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack

06/07/2026

**Attention-Road Closure reported by Laurel County Sheriff John Root.
ON KY 312 BETWEEN Mill Creek Drive and Hood Road due to a fatal crash reconstruction, 10 miles south west of London . Please seek an alternate route if you need to travel that roadway.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Laurel County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
Road closure announced by shift Sgt Zach Allen.
On Saturday night June 6th, 2026 at11:45 p.m.

**More details will be reported tomorrow as they become available, and pending next of kin notification.

06/06/2026

** Laurel County Sheriff John Root Summer Vacation Safety Tips:

Summer vacation is upon us. Many of you will be traveling away from home. Laurel County Sheriff John Root offers the following crime prevention tips :
• Do not let others know you will be out of town
• Stop mail delivery
• Arrange for lawn to be mowed
• Set house lights on timers
• Arrange for a trusted friend close by to watch for any suspicious activity around your home and report it
• Do not post trip pictures on facebook until you return home
• contact the sheriff's office for our assistance
with our --" Away from home extra patrols"

Laurel County Sheriff John Root wants to help you keep your home safe when you are away!
Send us information on where your home is, and when you will be gone ,and we will provide extra patrol in that area while you are gone. Contact the sheriff's office at 606-864-6600 or message the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office page or send the information by email to: [email protected]

06/05/2026

** Two pled guilty to Fentanyl charges in Laurel Circuit Court:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that : On June 1st, 2026 Anthony Jamel Carr Jr age 36 of May Street, Harlan, KY and Tasha M. Montanaro age 41 of May Street , Harlan pled guilty in Laurel Circuit Court on drug charges.. Anthony Carr Jr pled guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance 1st Offense Fentanyl to a recommended sentence of 10 years. Tasha Mantanaro pled guilty to promoting contraband 1st offense Fentanyl to a recommended sentence of five years. The arrests were the result of an Investigation conducted by Laurel Sheriff’s Drug Interdiction Unit Justin Taylor where on November the 23rd 2023, he conducted a drug investigation after observing two individuals in a business parking lot 10 miles south of London and found Anthony Carr Jr. in possession of a large amount of fentanyl, US currency, and counterfeit Xanax pills. The two individuals were arrested and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center. At the detention center, Tasha Montanaro was found in possession of suspected fentanyl within her personal clothing. The drug case was presented to the Laurel County grand jury by Drug Interdiction Unit Justin Taylor and Captain Richard Dalrymple.
Picture attached to this press release is of the contraband seized during that arrest. Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated that drug investigations will continue in Laurel County and they will be aggressively prosecuted through the courts.

*The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.