Bell County Ky Sheriff's Department

Bell County Ky Sheriff's Department Law enforcement for Bell County Kentucky. Serving and protecting our community. Please call 911 for any emergency.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTPRESS RELEASESaturday, September 12, 2026In connection with an on-going Bell/Harlan c...
09/12/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, September 12, 2026

In connection with an on-going Bell/Harlan case involving the arrest of 69-year-old Darrell Carnahan out of Harlan County for multiple s*x and drug offenses, engaging in organized crime, and human trafficking offense, another individual has been apprehended regarding an additional case related to these charges.

The case stems from an investigation into the death of a key witness against Carnahan, his brother Bobby Smith. Smith was found deceased in late August.

While four other individuals have been arrested in connection with Smith's death and an additional arrest dealing with the original s*x offenses case, a sixth person, 22-year-old Hailey Gilbert of Corbin, was arrested by Corbin Police Friday, September 11, 2026 on a Bell County warrant for complicity to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Hailey Gilbert is lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASEThursday, September 10, 2026On Monday, September 7, 2026 at 3:27 a.m., ...
09/11/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, September 10, 2026

On Monday, September 7, 2026 at 3:27 a.m., Bell County Deputies responded to a stabbing call at an Old Mocking Bird Lane residence in the Fourmile community. While enroute, Deputy Chris Owens along with Pineville Officer Samson Churchwell were advised there was a man suffering from a stab wound at Pineville Community Health Center. Detective Hunter Luttrell and Deputy Keith Fuson went to the residence to make contact with the victim’s live-in girlfriend, identified as 33-year-old Heather Partin of Pineville.

Deputy Owens and Officer Churchwell advised from PCHC that the victim and his live-in girlfriend had been arguing and “a demon stabbed him.” He added that Partin “gets drunk and acts crazy.”

Owens and Churchwell then joined the other deputies at the residence making entry to an open door where they saw blood. After calling out to the occupants without response, they made their way into the home, finding more blood in the hallway and the knife in question. Heather Partin was then found breathing, but not responsive in the back bedroom.

A small child was found under the covers. Also in the home was another child and elderly woman who later corroborated the statements of the victim.

Partin was read her rights after being subdued, then arrested, and exhibiting signs of heavy intoxication. She admitted to the officers that she stabbed the victim, but “she didn’t mean to kill him.” She also claimed she “threw” the knife at the victim, but evidence at the scene determined otherwise.

The victim was transported to UT Hospital with life-threatening injuries, but at last check he was stable. DCBS was also notified regarding the welfare of the children at the home.

Heather Partin was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with assault – 1st degree – domestic violence, wanton endangerment – 1st degree, endangering the welfare of a minor, and failure to notify an address change to the department of transportation.

SCAM ALERTMultiple complaints have been made about "Pretrial" calling people in Bell County and asking family members of...
09/07/2026

SCAM ALERT

Multiple complaints have been made about "Pretrial" calling people in Bell County and asking family members of inmates at the Bell County Detention Center for bail bond money. The caller requests that money be paid over the phone.

For the record, this is not the way our pretrial court procedures or bail protocols work.

Please do not fall for this scam. If you feel you have been a victim of this scam, please call our dispatch at 606-337-6174 to make a report.

Published according to the law.
09/07/2026

Published according to the law.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASEWednesday, September 2, 2026.On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and Wednesd...
09/03/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and Wednesday, the 2nd, in coordination with a multi-agency operation, Bell County Detective Hunter Luttrell carried out several arrests in connection with the death of a man, Bobby Smith, whose brother, Darrell Carnahan, was arrested in July for multiple s*x offenses. Prior to this, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, United States Marshal Service personnel apprehended Landon Pace.

At around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, Harlan County Sheriff’s Sgt. Caleb Carmical, Deputy Jesse Howard, and Loyall PD Officer Ben Pace responded to a residence to serve three warrants while conducting a joint federal investigation in the Loyall community. After making entry into the residence, all three subjects were located.

An investigation revealed that Carnahan had contacted Tonya Monroe, Cody Pace, and Landon Pace from the Bell County Detention Center, where he has been housed since his arrest. Carnahan asked the trio to reach out to witnesses and change their testimony against him.

Bobby Smith, with power of attorney for his brother, was a key witness against Carnahan in the s*x trafficking case and was found deceased in Harlan the last week of August. Smith was not complying with requests to send money for bills and commissary for Carnahan at the jail.

Monroe and the Pace brothers had moved into Carnahan’s residence after he was arrested.

Through monitored jail text messages, investigators were able to establish the three had benefited financially and residentially from the death of Bobby Smith.

It has been determined that all three destroyed evidence by burning it. They also concealed a cellular phone and deleted content regarding drug-related digital evidence about a third party. Tonya Monroe was found in possession of Smith’s food and debit card, and it was determined that the text messages reflect a direct monetary gain from Bobby’s Smith’s death.

While investigators have not disclosed the contents of evidence recovered during the ex*****on of the search warrant, they believe what was found directly relates to the charges.

Another woman, Star Halcolmb, was charged with tampering with physical evidence.

In connection with this case, also arrested Wednesday morning was 31-year-old Joseph Jackson of Bell County with similar charges as Carnahan: human trafficking – commercial s*x activity and engaging in organized crime.

Cody Pace, Landon Pace, and Starr Holcomb were lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center, while Tonya Monroe was moved to the Bell County Detention Center. Joseph Jackson was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

Landon Pace and Cody Pace have been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, intimidating a witness in the legal process, and tampering with a witness.

Tonya Monroe has been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, intimidating a witness in the legal process, tampering with a witness, theft - receipt of stolen debit card, fraudulent use of a credit card $1,000 < $10,000, and wanton abuse/neglect of adult by a person.

Star Halcomb has been charged with intimidating a witness in the legal process and tampering with a witness.

The United States Marshal Service Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force led the apprehension, assisted by all local represented agencies.

Sheriff Williams is asking the public for help in identifying the individuals in the pictures who were trespassing on pr...
08/28/2026

Sheriff Williams is asking the public for help in identifying the individuals in the pictures who were trespassing on private property in the Kettle Island area.

If you have information to share, please call Bell County Dispatch at 606-337-6174 or send a private message to this page. All information will be kept confidential.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTPRESS RELEASEFRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026Deputies and USMS Central Kentucky Fugitive task ...
08/21/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026

Deputies and USMS Central Kentucky Fugitive task force served an arrest warrant in the Polly Hollow community on 56-year-old John Melton for s*x offenses. During the ex*****on of arrest/search warrant, Melton took a substantial amount of time before coming out of the residence.

During the incident to arrest, law enforcement units noticed a cell phone case and could not locate the cell phone. Officers obtained the phone number associated with Melton and followed audio cues finding his cell phone in the woods behind the house next to the back door.

Prior to the search warrant ex*****on Bell County Deputies lead by Detective Hunter Luttrell were called to a domestic violence incident the week of August 10th in the Polly Hollow community.

Detective Luttrell contacted DCBS to interview family members and during the course of the investigation, it was alleged that Melton had performed s*x acts on and in front of minors that were identified as his family members. Two recent instances revealed that he had performed these acts in the past, as far back as 2014.

John Melton was arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with s*xual abuse – 1st degree – child under the age of 12, so**my – 1st degree - child under the age of 12, r**e – 1st degree – child under the age of 12, in**st – 1st degree – child under the age of 12, and tampering with physical evidence.

Posted as required by Kentucky law.
08/03/2026

Posted as required by Kentucky law.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASESunday, August 2, 2026On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Bell County Dispatch r...
08/03/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, August 2, 2026

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Bell County Dispatch received a call of an individual, identified as 52-year-old Johnny Ray Gambrel of Pineville, Ky., cursing and throwing things at vehicles near the park on Greencamp Road. Gambrel, nine miles from his own residence, also threatened a nearby family, including children, on their Wagoner Lane property saying he was going to kill them.

Detective Hunter Luttrell states that deputies were familiar with the man as they had come in contact with him on multiple occasions, which were always escalated by Gambrel's own actions.

As Det. Luttrell and Pineville Police Officer Samson Churchwell arrived on scene, they found Gambrel in the roadway taking a combative stance. He was told to stop and said he "had a gun too...and I will kill you both." Gambrel refused to obey the officers order to stop continuing to threaten them and said his dog "would get them."

For compliance, a taser was deployed on Gambrel who was still resisting the officers while calling for the dog to attack them. While Det. Luttrell and Ofc. Churchwell tried to place Gambrel in cuffs, his dog came over and attacked the detective. The dog punctured both of Det. Luttrell's ankles and would not let go. To stop the attack, the dog was fired upon and struck twice. It was shot two additional times after it appeared it would attack again and succumbed to its injuries shortly afterward.

After a continued struggle with Gambrel, he was placed in handcuffs but continued to resist the officers and they had to deploy OC spray to get him in a cruiser.

He was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center, charged with terroristic threatening - 3rd degree, menacing, public intoxication - controlled substance (excluding alcohol), fleeing or evading police - 1st degree (on foot), resisting arrest, disorderly conduct - 1st degree, criminal trespass - 1st degree, and assault - 3rd degree - police officer.

Detective Luttrell was taken to the Pineville Community Health Center for treatment of serious injuries and has since been released.

In recent encounters Gambrel has been armed with a machete and a hammer. Detective Luttrell has also fielded concerns from citizens in the Arjay community after Gambrel has said he had a gun.
Additionally, this is the third such incident involving Gambrel's dog. On a recent call, a Bell County EMS member was bitten by the animal.

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT USMS PRESS RELEASE7-15-26On Wedneday July 15, 2026, the Bell County Sheriff's Office...
07/15/2026

BELL COUNTY KY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT USMS PRESS RELEASE
7-15-26

On Wedneday July 15, 2026, the Bell County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), with the assistance of the Whitley County Sheriff's Office (WCSO), Pineville Police Department (PPD), and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) - Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force (CKFTF) London Office, located and arrested Brandon Ova Collett after a 2 month long fugitive investigation on the 4400 Block of Lot Mud Creek Road, Williamsburg, KY. Collett was wanted by the BCSO for:

-Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree - 6 counts
-Fleeing/Evading 1st Degree (motor vehicle) - 2 counts
-Reckless driving
-Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree (m**h)
-Probation Violation
-Attempted murder of a Police Officer- 2 counts

50-year-old Lillian Hope Jeffers was also taken into custody for Hindering Prosecution/Apprehension 1st Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance - 1st Degree (Methamphetamine) by WCSO Sheriff Bill Elliotte. Sheriff Elliotte transported her to Whitley County Detention Center.

**Original press release regarding the above charges:

Early Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Bell County Deputies were attempting to serve Bell and Laurel County warrants on 39-year-old Ova Brandon Collett of Pineville at a residence on Highway 92.

Collett fled the scene and was later identified as the driver that endangered Bell County highway department workers almost striking them while he sped away from deputies. While traveling at speeds over 100mph, Sgt. Austin Poindexter terminated the pursuit of Collett for safety concerns.

Later Wednesday evening deputies went to apprehend Collett for endangering the welfare of highway workers and Fleeing. Unknown to the deputies was that Collett’s vehicle had been parked behind the residence. As Sgt. Jody Risner walked around the corner of the home he heard the vehicle and saw Collett swerve in his direction putting the deputy in extreme risk of death and serious physical injury. Sgt. Risner was able to move out of the way with no serious injuries, but Collett continued in the direction of K-9 Deputy Keith Fuson with K-9 Steve.

Deputies then fired at Collett causing him to divert from striking the K-9 and he struck a fence line. Collet left the scene at a high rate of speed. His vehicle was found a short distance from the residence on Short Branch Road. He fled the vehicle into a wooded area. There is no evidence suggesting that Collett was injured during the incident.

Inside the vehicle deputies found suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia along with an air pistol with no orange tip and a machete. The Bell County Sheriff’s Department utilized K9 Steve and their drone with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and was unable to locate Collett.

Bell dispatch requested assistance from other agencies.

Address

Kentucky Avenue
Pineville, KY
40977

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16063373102

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