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 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.

On March 12, 2026 Brandon Goodpaster, 25, was sentenced consistent with his plea agreement to the following Possession o...
03/24/2026

On March 12, 2026 Brandon Goodpaster, 25, was sentenced consistent with his plea agreement to the following

Possession of a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree - Fentanyl 3 years;

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

And

Enhanced by Persistent Felony Offender; 1st Degree to 14 years

Mr. Goodpaster was charged after an investigation completed by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - Kentucky. Det. Dalton Hayes completed an investigation for the illegal sale of narcotics after Mr. Goodpaster contacted a CI Facebook account offering to meet up and sale narcotics. Det. Hayes completed the transaction with Mr. Goodpaster and was placed under arrest.

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

On February 20, 2026, Eric Burris (36) of Morehead was sentenced pursuant to his plea agreement to the following: So**my...
03/11/2026

On February 20, 2026, Eric Burris (36) of Morehead was sentenced pursuant to his plea agreement to the following:

So**my; 1st Degree - 21 years

Mr. Burris will be required to serve 85% of his sentenced before being eligible for parole.

Mr. Burris plead guilty after an investigation completed by Sgt. David Zimmerman with the Kentucky State Police Post 8. Sgt. Zimmerman responded to a complaint regarding the injuries to the juvenile victim. His thorough investigation resulted in a conviction of a violent offender.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank law enforcement for their continued efforts at protecting the community's children.

**Resolutions are discussed with the victims and or their family prior **

On March 2, 2026, Brittany Kingsbury was sentenced in conformity with her plea agreement to the following charges: Perju...
03/03/2026

On March 2, 2026, Brittany Kingsbury was sentenced in conformity with her plea agreement to the following charges:

Perjury; 1st Degree

Mrs. Kingsbury pled guilty following an investigation by Tpr. Nathan Shortridge with Kentucky State Police Post 8. Trooper Shortridge's investigation found that Mrs. Kingsbury lied under oath in her husband's case. Mrs. Kingsbury misrepresented the reality of what happened in an effort to undermine law enforcement and destroy the case against her husband for serious crimes against his 11 year old victim. She was sentenced to 2 years. Mr. Kingsbury will be sentenced on a later date.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank Kentucky State Police for their continued efforts toward maintaining the integrity of our system.

On February 5, 2026, Bobby Wells (55) of Bath County was sentenced on his previously entered plea as follows: Public Int...
02/23/2026

On February 5, 2026, Bobby Wells (55) of Bath County was sentenced on his previously entered plea as follows:

Public Intoxication;

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; 1st Degree, 1st Substance for a total of 5 years

and enhanced by being a Persistent Felony Offender; 1st Degree for a total of 10 years.

Mr. Wells was charged after a traffic stop by Deputy Bud Lyons then with the Bath County Sheriff Department! His stop resulted in over 22 grams of methamphetamine. His investigation was assisted by Officer Jacob Purvis with the Owingsville Police Department.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office would like to thank the officers with the Bath County Sheriff's Department and Owingsville Police Department for their continued efforts toward combating the drug epidemic in the 21st Judicial Circuit.

Address

44 W Main Street
Mount Sterling, KY
40373

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