Ashton McKenzie Commonwealths Attorney 21st Judicial Circuit

Ashton McKenzie Commonwealths Attorney 21st Judicial Circuit Serving and protecting the citizens of Bath, Menifee, Rowan and Montgomery counties.

On July 29, 2026 a Menifee County Jury found Carlos Ewell Dobson GUILTY of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st D...
07/30/2026

On July 29, 2026 a Menifee County Jury found Carlos Ewell Dobson GUILTY of:

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree more than or equal to 2 grams of Methamphetamine;

Possession of Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense;

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

and

Persistent Felony Offender; 1st Degree

The jury returned a verdict of 19 years. Mr Dobson will be required to serve 10 years before being eligible for parole.

1st Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Christopher Kelley called Deputy Troyal Cox, then with the Menifee County Sheriff’s Office to provide the jury with testimony regarding Mr Dobson traffic stop. The jury heard evidence from Deputy Cox who deployed his K-9 partner and located 13.292 grams of methamphetamine, $393.00 and several baggies which were consistent with trafficking.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the Menifee County jury for their attention and hard work. As well as the Menifee County Sheriff's Department for their efforts toward combating the drug epidemic.

On June 16, 2026, a Menifee County jury found Matthew Small guilty of the following Trafficking in a Controlled Substanc...
07/14/2026

On June 16, 2026, a Menifee County jury found Matthew Small guilty of the following

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense - Fentanyl

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; more than 2 grams of Methamphetamine

Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun and

Persistent Felony Offender; 1st Degree.

The jury provided a verdict of 10 years. Mr. Small must serve 10 years before he is eligible for parole. Deputies then with the Menifee County Sheriff’s Office Dep. Thomas Wilson and Dep. Troyal Cox stopped Mr. Small due to an attempt to locate dispatched out of Mt. Sterling. Officers deployed Dep. Cox's K9 Unit which alerted to narcotics in the vehicle. After a search it was determined that Mr. Small was trafficking in 3.343 grams of Methamphetamine and 5.580 grams of Fentanyl.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the Menifee County Jurors for their attention and hard work. As well as the Menifee County Sheriff's Department for their continued work toward combating the drug epidemic.

On September 19, 2025, the lives of Kayla and Kennedi were violently and tragically cut short. They were both loved and...
05/18/2026

On September 19, 2025, the lives of Kayla and Kennedi were violently and tragically cut short. They were both loved and cared for deeply by their family and the community they treasured. The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would ask that we continue to remember the lives and beauty that Kayla and Kennedi were. Shifting the focus where it should be with the loss of two innocent individuals while no longer giving attention to the criminal who shortened their time with us.

The decision made regarding a plea and sentence was not made lightly. The extension of his plea offer was given great consideration by our office and the family of Kayla and Kennedi. The murders of these two beautiful, wonderful, and kind individuals is a great loss to our small community. Their absence will have a lasting impact on not only their family, but our community as a whole. It is a tragedy that could have been avoided had the jury in his first murder trial found him guilty as indicted. I grieve with both families that they did not.

On April 28, 2026, Joshua Cottrell plead guilty to two counts of Murder and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. He received two sentences of Life in Prison Without Parole and 5 years on Tampering with Physical Evidence.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office wants to thank the Kentucky State Police - Post 8, Detective Robert Martin and Coroner John Northcutt for their efforts in investigating this tragedy. A special thank you to Kentucky State Police and Post 1 as well as other Detectives who assisted their investigation. Their quick response and efforts located the Defendant after fleeing to Paducah. Without their tireless work justice may not have been so swift. We also want to thank all first responders who assisted in this tragedy.

Finally, we pray that this resolution will allow the family to begin to heal from their loss.

On Thursday April 16, 2026 William Roland was sentenced on his prior plea agreement to the following: Trafficking in a C...
04/27/2026

On Thursday April 16, 2026 William Roland was sentenced on his prior plea agreement to the following:

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense - 7 years

Tampering with Physical Evidence - 3 years and

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - 30 days

Mr Roland was arrested and charged with drug trafficking after a stop conducted by Assistant Chief Justin Sutherland of the Owingsville Police Department . An anonymous tip that an individual was selling narcotics behind Town & Country gas station led Asst. Chief Sutherland and Deputy Wes Everman to the location where they located Mr Roland with several ounces of narcotics and cash.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the agencies for their continued efforts at combating the drug epidemic in Bath County.

On Friday, April 24, 2026, Lacy Ross of Mt. Sterling was sentenced to the following: Trafficking in a Controlled Substan...
04/27/2026

On Friday, April 24, 2026, Lacy Ross of Mt. Sterling was sentenced to the following:

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense (carfentanil and fentanyl) - 10 years

Promoting Contraband; 1st Degree - 5 years

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - 30 days

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense - 10 years

Tampering with Physical Evidence - 5 years

Manslaughter; 2nd Degree - 10 years

Her charges are to run concurrent for a total of 10 but consecutive to an additional promoting and possession case for a total of 13 years.

Ms Ross was initially charged with Trafficking after a stop conducted by Detective Dalton Hayes with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - Kentucky that led to Ms Ross being found with 9.359 grams of fentanyl and 13.951 grams of methamphetamine. Upon charging Ms Ross and further investigation by Detective Hayes it was determined that Ms Ross sold the narcotics that led to the death of Hannah Newkirk of Montgomery County as well.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the officers involved for their continued efforts toward keeping dangerous narcotics out of 21st Judicial Circuit.

On April 6, 2026 Jordan Bills, 28, of Menifee County was sentenced on the following plea agreement: Counts 1 - 20: Posse...
04/13/2026

On April 6, 2026 Jordan Bills, 28, of Menifee County was sentenced on the following plea agreement:

Counts 1 - 20: Possession of a Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance by a Minor under 12

He was sentenced to a total of 30 YEARS.

Mr. Bills was indicted after a cyber tip was provided to Kentucky State Police E-Crimes division. Det. Jason Dials conducted a thorough investigation which resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices. Kentucky State Police analysts were able to link Mr. Bills to possession of several images of children under the age of 12.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank Kentucky State Police and Ecrimes for their efforts in bringing those who harm children to justice.

On April 9, 2026, Eric Kingsbury, of Menifee County was sentenced on his plea to the following: R**e; 1st Degree So**my;...
04/13/2026

On April 9, 2026, Eric Kingsbury, of Menifee County was sentenced on his plea to the following:

R**e; 1st Degree

So**my; 1st Degree

And

In**st; 1st Degree

For a total of 20 years. Mr. Kingsbury will have to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Mr. Kingsbury was arrested after an investigation conducted by Tpr. Jason Brown with Kentucky State Police. After the juvenile victim reported the physical and sexual abuse that had taken place over the years a thorough investigation led to the indictment of Mr. Kingsbury. KSP was assisted by DCBS Social Worker Tosha Hays in his investigation.

The victim eloquently stated her position at sentencing and was relieved about the resolution of the case.

The Commonwealth Attorney's office would like to thank the agency for their continued efforts at keeping children within the 21st Circuit safe.

**Please keep in mind all pleas are discussed with victims prior to entry. Their reasons for accepting a plea vary and are difficult decisions for them to make **

Meet Butan!!! The newest member of Mt Sterling Police Department. He joins their department with funding provided by th...
04/01/2026

Meet Butan!!! The newest member of Mt Sterling Police Department. He joins their department with funding provided by the 21st Judicial Commonwealth Attorney's Office.

It was our pleasure to do so and to assist in the continued efforts at keeping Montgomery County safe.

We look forward to working with you Officer Butan. 🐾

On March 19, 2026, Jamie Barlow of Montgomery County was sentenced in conformity with his plea agreement to the followin...
03/24/2026

On March 19, 2026, Jamie Barlow of Montgomery County was sentenced in conformity with his plea agreement to the following:

2 Counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense - Methamphetamine - 5 years

and enhanced by being a Persistent Felony Offender 1st degree to 15 years

M. Barlow was charged after two separate controlled purchases were conducted by Mt Sterling Police Department and the Gateway Area Drug Task Force - HIDTA. Sgt. Kalan Perdue and Det. Ty Combs completed controlled purchases for Methamphetamine with Mr. Barlow.

Thank you to the Officers and Agencies who continue to keep the 21st Judicial Circuit safe.

On March 9, 2026 and March 19, 2026 Nicole Martin and Tracy Cole were sentenced in conformity with their plea agreements...
03/24/2026

On March 9, 2026 and March 19, 2026 Nicole Martin and Tracy Cole were sentenced in conformity with their plea agreements:

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st Offense - 5 years

2 counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree; 1st offense - 10 years

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - 30 days

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 2nd Degree - 5 years

Possession of Controlled Substance; 3rd Degree 30 days

Possession of Controlled Substance; 3rd Degree - 30 days

And enhanced by being a Persistent Felony Offender; 2nd Degree for a total of 20 years

Ms. Martin and Mr. Cole were charged after an investigation completed by Mt Sterling Police Department and the Gateway Area Drug Task Force - HIDTA. Det. Micah Williams, Det. Ty Combs and Sgt. Kalan Perdue completed controlled purchases from the residence. Upon executing a search warrant at the residence Mr. Cole and Ms. Martin were charged with trafficking in over 48 grams of methamphetamine.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the officers for their continued hard work and efforts toward combating the drug epidemic in the 21st Judicial Circuit.

Address

44 W Main Street
Mount Sterling, KY
40373

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