City of Prestonsburg, Kentucky Police Department

09/16/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***
***PRESTONSBURG POLICE, KSP RECOVER NEARLY $600,000.00
IN STOLEN COPPER IN INTERSTATE THEFT RING***

Authority: Ross C. Shurtleff, Chief of Police
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Prestonsburg Police Det. Dennis M. Hutchinson was contacted by Kentucky State Police Det. Dwight Isaac with the KSP Auto Theft Section in reference to attempting to locate a cargo load of industrial copper spools that had been stolen from out of state and was off course in Prestonsburg near Riverside Drive.

Upon Det. Hutchinson’s initial arrival, there was no suspicious activity observed at the commercial building and he departed the scene to make contact with the property owner who was known and cooperative, who had recently leased the building to a verified out-of-state business, and agreed to meet Det. Hutchinson at the location. Upon his return to the location approximately ten minutes later, Det. Hutchinson observed a commercial vehicle backed to the loading docks with a forklift unloading large spools of power utility grade copper. Immediately, the fork-lift operator observed police vehicles returning to the parking lot and jumped off the fork-lift and fled on foot.

Ptl. J. Paige Maynard and her K9 Partner Jaak responded to the scene and began a man-track from the fork-lift to the riverbank where Christopher Delgado of California was eventually located and surrendered to Ptl. Maynard and Jaak and was taken into custody. He was ultimately lodged in Floyd County Detention Center on charges of Receiving Stolen Property over $10,000.00 and Fleeing/Evading Police on Foot.

Further, it was determined that the driver of the truck, Haykaz Gasparyan of Tujunga, California, was operating his commercial vehicle with fraudulent required documentation and was arrested by KSP Det. Isaac related to his involvement in the theft of cargo. It was ultimately determined that the trucking company located by law enforcement in Prestonsburg had fraudulently branded their documentation as the company who was intended to pick the load up, masquerading as that company, took the material from the distributor and left the course of delivery raising alarms with the distributor as it was equipped with GPS tracking. It is our belief that the copper eventually was to be loaded on another truck and transported out of the state, and the events that unfolded here were intended to serve as a “transfer station” located well away from the intended route and interstate highways.

The initial cargo theft across state lines remains under investigation by the KSP Auto Theft Section, and the events of the handling of the cargo in Prestonsburg remains open and assigned to Det. Dennis M. Hutchinson.

We are thankful for our community partners, the owner of the property, and our law enforcement partners who offer great support in the arrest and prosecution in these cases.
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08/09/2026

While the HS Athletics department ran us over, we defended the title as the reigning City Public Safety softball champs with a mercy in the bottom of the 4th! Two for Two at 26 to 10! But most importantly we raised $2,500 for the most amazing kids in the county!

Thank you so much to the PHS BlackCats and LadyCats for spending their Saturday for this cause!! 💪

08/08/2026

SOFTBALL EXTRAVAGANZA

08/08/2026

HELLO SPORTS FANS - going live a little after 2:00 to talk sportsballs and WE NEED A FAVOR CAN SOMEONE GO BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WAKE THEM UP AND TELL THEM GAMES AT 4:00. They’ll have to make coffee and chili and stretch so it’ll take at least a few hours. STONECREST BE THERE

08/06/2026

Just a little more than 48 hours to go! Four games (that could double as senior games depending on how many teachers come out of retirement) - plenty of laughs, and one hosed out Fire Department.

Saturday. 4:00. Be there. FOR THE KIDS!

08/05/2026

Edited to Add: This post was never intended to disparage an opinion either for or against the use of FLOCK cameras, but (if not apparent by the first comment), merely put a humorous twist on clarifying that we do not, nor will we, employ FLOCK technology. Regardless of anyone’s views, there are too many other, more important needs the City and Police Department are working to meet with your tax dollars AND we’re not going to harbor data for a third party contractor to do who knows what with.

In light of the recent ongoing passionate concerns regarding Law Enforcement’s use of FLOCK camera technology and in the name of total transparency, we wanted to issue a comprehensive description on the extent of our FLOCK program and how it is used. You can find it pinned in the comments.

08/04/2026

TRAFFIC ALERT FOR BIG BRANCH IF ABBOTT!

***BIG BRANCH OF ABBOTT***
***PLEASE SHARE***

As of now, weather permitting, the resurfacing project on Big Branch of Abbott will begin tomorrow as equipment is moved into the area so blacktopping can start.

Equipment will begin moving in first thing in the morning and you can expect delays throughout the day, however traffic will be intermittently passable. We appreciate your patience as we get this much needed project underway.

We appreciate your patience as we have been waiting on schedule openings and the above average rain this summer has slowed blacktop plants and crews down.

07/31/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***
***OPERATION SAFE HARBOR NETS FOURTH ARREST***

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026

AUTHORITY: Ross C. Shurtleff, Chief of Police

Yesterday, July 30, 2026, Detective Dennis M. Hutchinson obtained warrants for the arrest of Jesse Gent, 19, of Sherwood, Oregon, obtained and executed following an investigation of sexual abuse that was reported to Prestonsburg Police.

Initial investigation indicated that Gent was in a position of trust or authority with his victim, a sixteen-year-old child when he subjected the victim to So**my in the 3rd degree. Following the report and initial investigation, forensic staff with Judi’s Place for Kids conducted a specialized interview and investigation, and search warrants were issued by Floyd County District Court for Gent’s electronic devices that have been turned over to Pikeville Police Department’s Forensic Analyst.

Subsequently, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office drafted warrants for Gent’s arrest that were signed by Floyd County District Court Judge Tyler Green. Once those warrants were issued, it was learned the Gent had left the Commonwealth but was slated to return. Upon his return, he was met by Det. Hutchinson and Ptl. Chris Hicks where he was arrested and lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center where he remains as of this release.

Again, we are thankful for our partners in the Floyd County Courts, County Attorney’s Office, Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and Pikeville Police Department to assist us in ensuring solid cases are brought for prosecution.

This case remains assigned to Det. Dennis M. Hutchinson.

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07/29/2026

It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t have to reschedule at least once.

Due to scheduling conflicts - we are pushing the softball games back until next Saturday, August 8! Same time! Same place! 4:00 @ StoneCrest baseball fields!

It all goes to shop with a cop and we assure you, it’ll be a T I M E!!!

07/28/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***
***OPERATION SAFE HARBOR EXECUTES FEDERAL INDICTMENT WARRANTS***
AUTHORITY: Ross C. Shurtleff, Chief of Police

JULY 28, 2026

Today, in collaboration with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pikeville Police Department and their Forensic Analyst, Prestonsburg Police Officers executed three Federal Indictment Warrants issued in US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky last week.

These warrants were issued following complaints to Prestonsburg/Floyd County ECC and extensive investigations into child predators who either sexually abused minor victims, engaged in the production or distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, transported their victims across state lines to engage in abuse, or held positions of authority and trust while they subjected minors to sexual exploitation, or some combination thereof. Using the Pikeville Police Department’s Forensic Analyst to extract every piece of evidence sough from electronic devices, all Law Enforcement Partners were able to remove any pre-trial doubt in the validity of the claims.

Close cooperation between the Floyd County Attorney’s Office, the Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District, and Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies in and around Floyd County has been extremely successful to ensure that the strongest prosecution permitted under law is pursued, which led to these indictments.

- Bryan Cantrell, 31, currently of Minnie, Kentucky, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury and arrested for 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), Count One: Production of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, Count Two: Transportation of a minor with intent to produce sexually explicit conduct for distribution.

- Simon Roxas, 23, currently of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury and arrested for 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(b), Possession of Child Po*******hy

- Andrew Lewis, 40, currently of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury and arrested for 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), Attempting Online Enticement of a Minor. Additionally, Lewis has additional Charges of Tampering with Physical Evidence and Sexual Abuse 1st degree pending before a Floyd County Grand Jury.

All three individuals were arrested and lodged in Floyd County Detention Center on US Marshal’s hold awaiting arraignment in United States District Court. The original cases have been turned over to the FBI and their resident agent(s) who now lead any further investigation.

We are thankful for our local and federal partners with whom we work closely with. Collaboration between law enforcement has never been stronger. Successful prosecution of these heinous crimes relies heavily on early reporting and cooperation with witnesses and the public. You can report any illegal behavior anonymously by calling (606) 886-1010, the Floyd County Sheriff Anonymous Tip Line at 606-949-2020, or the FBI’s online portal at https://tips.fbi.gov/home.
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