Garrard County Sheriff's Office

05/22/2026

🎓 D.A.R.E. GRADUATION 2026 🎓

Recently, we celebrated the graduation of 163 sixth-grade students who successfully completed the 10-week D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Throughout the program, students learned valuable lessons about making safe and responsible choices, resisting drugs and violence, building self-confidence, and becoming positive leaders in their schools and communities.

We are incredibly proud of each student for their hard work, participation, and commitment during the program. A special congratulations goes out to our D.A.R.E. essay winners for their outstanding essays and dedication to the message of D.A.R.E.

Thank you to Garrard Middle school staff, families, Deputy Parsons, and community partners who helped make this program a success. Investing in our youth today helps build a safer and stronger community tomorrow.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 D.A.R.E. graduates! 👏🖤❤️

05/07/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2026
11:00 AM

EARLY MORNING STABBING SENDS ONE TO UK HOSPITAL

The Garrard County Sheriff’s Office responded during the early morning hours to a reported stabbing in the Pfeifer Way area of Garrard County.

Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female suffering from more than a dozen stab wounds along with other serious injuries. Garrard EMS responded to the scene and the victim was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital for treatment.

The Garrard County Sheriff’s Office investigation determined the incident was domestic violence related and that Clarence Coogan allegedly attacked the female, resulting in his arrest.

Coogan has been charged with:

* Assault 1st Degree
* Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree
* Attempted Murder
* Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree

This case is being investigated by Deputy Jacob Murphy, who was assisted by Deputy Parsons, Garrard County EMS, and Bluegrass 911.

Clarence Coogan was lodged in the Jessamine County Detention Center.

05/04/2026

UPDATE:

Mr. Ernest “Bud” Flynn has been located and is unfortunately deceased.

The Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, along with Kentucky State Police, is actively investigating the circumstances. At this time, no foul play is suspected.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Flynn family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

MISSING PERSON GARRARD COUNTY

ERNEST BUD FLYNN 83yo male Last seen at 25 KELLEY RIDGE ROAD AROUND 4:00pm ON A ORANGE KABOTA TRACTOR HAULING HAY WEARING A GREY BUTTON UP SHIRT AND JEANS please call 911 with any information

04/30/2026

Berea Bank Robbery!

*UPDATE 6:45 AM*
A person of interest believed to be involved in yesterday’s Berea bank robbery has been apprehended.

This was a team effort. Appreciate the assistance from the Lexington Police Department, our federal partners, and the other agencies involved.

Stay tuned for more updates.
————————————————————————————
*UPDATE*

The individual pictured below is a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred earlier today at U.S. Bank in Berea.

The suspect is described as approximately 6’3” tall, wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, gray pants, and light-colored athletic shoes.

If you recognize this individual or have any information, contact Kentucky State Police Post 7 at (859-623-2404) or your local law enforcement immediately. Do not approach.

04/30/2026

*UPDATE 6:45 AM*
A person of interest believed to be involved in yesterday’s Berea bank robbery has been apprehended.

This was a team effort. Appreciate the assistance from the Lexington Police Department, our federal partners, and the other agencies involved.

Stay tuned for more updates.
————————————————————————————
*UPDATE*

The individual pictured below is a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred earlier today at U.S. Bank in Berea.

The suspect is described as approximately 6’3” tall, wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, gray pants, and light-colored athletic shoes.

If you recognize this individual or have any information, contact Kentucky State Police Post 7 at (859-623-2404) or your local law enforcement immediately. Do not approach.

04/19/2026

⚠️⚠️ UPDATE - Juvenile Located! ⚠️⚠️

We are pleased to report that Yanixel Garcia HAS been located and is safe!

🚨 RUNAWAY JUVENILE – PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED🚨

Garrard County officials are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing/runaway juvenile.

- Name: Yanixel Garcia
- Age: 16 years old
- Last Seen Wearing: Black cargo pants, black t-shirt, tan hoodie, no shoes or socks
- Last Known Location & Time: 6000 block of Cartersville Rd, Lancaster, KY on 04/18/2026 at 9:00pm.

Yanixel has no known medical conditions.

Garrard County Emergency Management, along with the Garrard County Sheriff's Office and multiple responders from several agencies, conducted an extensive search of the area with no success.

It is believed the juvenile may have been attempting to get a ride to Lexington, Kentucky and could possibly be in that area.

SAR Coordinator Dustin Price is asking the public to be vigilant and to share this post to assist with bringing Yanixel home safely.

If you have seen Yanixel or have any information on her whereabouts, please contact Bluegrass 911 Communications at 859-792-3023 or call 911 immediately.

04/15/2026

For Immediate Release
April 14, 2026

GCSO Traffic Stop Leads to Federal Arrest

On April 14, 2026, Garrard County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on York Street in Lancaster that resulted in the arrest of Kadrioan Serainity Santiago, 23, of Berea, Kentucky.

Prior to the stop, GCSO had received information that Santiago was possibly in the area and was wanted on an active federal warrant related to INTERSTATE THREATENING COMMUNICATIONS involving threats of violence toward multiple individuals. With assistance from Bluegrass 911, deputies were able to locate the vehicle and initiate the stop.

During the investigation, Santiago was taken into custody without incident on the federal warrant and will be transferred to the U.S. Marshals and the FBI.

A search revealed the presence of multiple weapons and tactical gear, including a handgun, an AR-15-style rifle, an additional long gun, multiple magazines, a Kevlar helmet, gas masks, and various survival gear.

Sheriff Willie Skeens stated, “The nature of these federal charges, combined with the weapons and tactical gear located, is extremely alarming. Fortunately, nobody was injured during this arrest.”

03/13/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Garrard County Sheriff’s Office

GCSO Investigation Stops California M**h Pipeline Supplying Garrard County

The Garrard County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Cartersville man following an investigation into the distribution of m**hamphetamine in the area.

Charles Gregory Sergent (65), of Cartersville, Kentucky, was arrested after investigators determined he had been receiving and distributing m**hamphetamine throughout the Cartersville and Berea communities. During the investigation, deputies identified what they determined to be a m**hamphetamine pipeline originating in California and supplying drugs into the local area.

Investigators believe Sergent received and distributed several pounds of m**hamphetamine as part of the operation.

Deputies also learned Sergent has an extensive criminal history and is a registered s*x offender, with prior convictions involving s*xual offenses, fi****ms violations, and narcotics offenses.

Sergent was charged with:
• Trafficking in M**hamphetamine
• Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon
• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree (Morphine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

“We stopped a m**h pipeline coming into our community, and we will keep targeting anyone who tries to bring these drugs into Garrard County,” said Garrard County Sheriff Willie Skeens.

Anyone with information related to drug trafficking or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office at 859-792-3591.

02/25/2026

SCAM ALERT- PLEASE SHARE

The Garrard Co Sheriff is investigating scam phone calls from an individual posing as a deputy stating you have pending charges and requesting bond money. These phone calls do look like they are coming from our number, but it is NOT us!

THIS IS FAKE! DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION OR MONEY.

You can also reach us on our secondary line (859-792-3056)

01/25/2026