Ronnie Bowling, Commonwealth's Attorney

04/23/2026

It was a tremendous honor to join Attorney General Russell Coleman in announcing the Kentucky Multidisciplinary Commission on Child S*xual Abuse’s
statewide model protocol.

The new best practices manual focuses on minimizing further trauma to young victims, while maximizing law enforcement and prosecution success in convicting sexual predators.

Amist National Child Abuse Awareness Month, it’s exciting to add another tool to the toolbox in seeking out and sending child predators to prison.

03/27/2026

MCCREARY JURY CONVICTS ON CHILD ABUSE

Late last night, a McCreary County jury convicted Matthew Deaton and Amanda Riddle of Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (x3), Stangulation, 1st Degree, and Tampering with Witnesses.

Deaton and Riddle were prosecuted by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys John Reynolds and Josh Price. They were investigated by Trooper Craig Reed by the Kentucky State Police.

Thanks to teachers at a local elementary school speaking up and reporting concerning bruising on kids in their classroom, Trooper Reed was able to successfully investigate and confirm a horrible home life for two innocent kids.

The jury recommended Deaton serve 40 years in prison for the abuse and Riddle serve 37 years for failing to protect her children from ongoing abuse.

They are scheduled for formal sentencing before the Hon. Judge Dan Ballou. Both Defendants will be required to serve 85% of their sentences before being eligible for parole.

03/06/2026

I joined Attorney General Russell Coleman in urging the Kentucky Court of Appeals to apply HB5, the Safer Kentucky Act to 268 violent criminals pending parole.

Quote inside the press release ⬇️⬇️

The General Assembly passed the Safer Kentucky Act to protect families and support law enforcement. It's why we're asking the Court of Appeals to keep these criminals where they belong.

More here: https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=AttorneyGeneral&prId=1893

02/19/2026

This week, as President of the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Association, I had the privilege of hosting the annual Winter Prosecutor’s Conference for felony prosecutors across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In addition to a host of wonderful presenters, we were proud to host Ms. Elizabeth Smart, national author, child abduction advocate and survivor of childhood abduction.

It was a privilege getting to know, meeting, and hearing how Ms. Smart’s survived a horrific crime and transformed her story into being a national hero.

02/03/2026

LARGEST M**H TRAFFICKING SENTENCE IN MCCREARY HISTORY

Shannon O’Regan and Nancy O’Regan were convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Handgun, and Shannon O’Regan was additionally convicted of being a Persistent Felony Offender in the McCreary Circuit Court by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling. A search warrant was executed by the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office yielded a large quantity of methamphetamine and handguns.

Shannon O’Regan was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Hon. Judge Paul Wi******er. Nancy O’Regan received 7 years by Judge Wi******er as well.

01/16/2026

DRUNK DRIVER CONVICTED OF WANTON MURDER

On January 31, 2024, a horrific drunk driving crash claimed the life of a 2 year old child and left the surviving mother with permanent injuries.

Late last night, a Whitley County jury convicted Matthew Croley of Wanton Murder, 1st Degree Assault, and Wanton Endangerment. Croley was prosecuted by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling.

Croley was investigated by Trooper Corey Jones with the Kentucky State Police. He was assisted by Troopers Donnie Jones, Rob Mitchell, Michael Hamblin, Sgt Zach Alsip, Sgt Shane Bowling, Sgt Jerry Jones and Sgt Chad Foley with the Williamsburg Police Department.

Final sentencing is scheduled before the Hon. Judge Dan Ballou in February, 2026.

12/19/2025

ARMED ROBBERY RESULTS IN 25 YEAR SENTENCE

Lonnie Huff was convicted of 1st Degree Robbery and being a Persistent Felony Offender in the Whitley Circuit Court by Commonwealth's Attorney Ronnie Bowling. Huff was arrested and charged with the above offenses following Corbin Police Department Detective Robbie Hodge's investigation of the Lloyd Williams armed robbery.

Utilizing Cell Site Location technology, Google Geofence data analysis, and trace DNA forensics, Hodge was able to locate and confirm Huff's involvement in the robbery.

Huff was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Hon. Judge Paul Wi******er. This sentence is consecutive to the 13 years Huff had on parole, and will not be eligible for parole until 20 years served on this case.

09/10/2025

PARENTS: Always Monitor Your Children’s Internet Activity

Steven Bradshaw was convicted of Unlawful Use of an Electronic Device to Procure a Minor for A S*xual Performance, Attempted Unlawful Transaction with a Minor, and Sending Obscene Matter to a Minor in the McCreary Circuit Court by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling.

Bradshaw was investigated and apprehended by Officer Greg Rhoades. The investigation began thanks to vigilant parents monitoring and supervising their child’s Internet activity and responsibly reporting it to authorities.

Bradshaw was sentenced to ten (10) years in prison, followed by 5 years of monitored supervised release by the Hon. Judge Paul Wi******er. Bradshaw will be placed on the S*x Offender Registry and prohibited from owning electronic devices, accessing social media or living within 1,000 feet of a school or playground.

09/10/2025

ANOTHER M**H DEALER OFF THE STREET

Tosha Maxey was convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine and being a Persistent Felony Offender in the McCreary Circuit Court by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling and Ass’t Commonwealth’s Attorney Joshua Lowe.

Maxey was investigated by K9 Deputy Alex Jones with the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department.

Maxey was sentenced 12 years in prison by the Hon. Judge Paul Wi******er.

Felony prosecutor for Whitley & McCreary counties.

08/18/2025

Hostage Standoff Ends in Prison Sentence

Michael LeForce was convicted of Attempted Assault, 1st Degree, Wanton Endangerment, Felon in Possession of a Handgun and Persistent Felony Offender, 1st Degree in the Whitley Circuit Court by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling.

LeForce engaged in a lengthy standoff with police in a shed in his backyard where threats and gunfire was exhanged. LeForce was apprehended by Patrolman Chris Brown with the Corbin Police Department without injury.

LeForce was sentenced to ten (10) years in prison by the Hon. Judge Dan Ballou. Due to LeForce’s criminal history, he is not eligible for parole and will be required to serve the entire ten (10) year sentence.