McROBERTS, Ky. — A Letcher County man died in a house fire Saturday morning. Just after 7:30 a.m., Kentucky State Police Post 13 was informed of a fire along Route 343 at McRoberts. Police and firefighters found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene. Once the fire was extinguished, a search began for the homeowner, 70-year-old Robert Mullins. The remains of one person presumed to be Mullins were found in the house. Police are continuing to investigate, but say foul play is not suspected. The remains have been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Williamson man has been arrested on a federal charge of attempting to produce child porn. Kentucky State Police received a report from a Pike County woman, who said her 13-year-old granddaughter had been receiving sexual messages from a man over Facebook Messenger. The girl had screenshots of the conversation, during which the man, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Castor, allegedly sent pictures of his genitals and requested pictures from the girl. Police were also able to find similar messages to other girls over Discord. Castor was arrested on Friday and booked in the Pike County jail. […]

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LONDON, Ky. — A financial dispute tied to coal operations in Eastern Kentucky has landed in federal court, with an investment firm accusing a mining company and its leadership of fraudulently securing tens of millions of dollars while concealing serious financial problems. In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Tacora Capital alleges that Mine & Rail Corporation and related entities misrepresented their financial condition to obtain roughly $30 million in investments and loans. The complaint also names several affiliated Australian companies and Australian members of Mine & Rail’s board of directors as defendants. According to the lawsuit, Mine & Rail […]

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LOUISA, Ky. — Louisa Police have arrested three people who they say were trying to open bank accounts with counterfeit government checks and fake IDs. Officers had been investigating a fraudulent check scam when they were alerted to suspicious activity on Tuesday. Officer Michael Housinger observed a van park at Little Caesar’s and a woman get out and walk across the street to Citizens Bank, while two men stayed in the van. The woman returned after a half-hour and drove to Dollar General, where the process was repeated at City National Bank. Housinger went back to Citizens to alert them […]

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LOUISA, Ky. — A Lawrence County jury has recommended a 10-year prison sentence for a Morgan County man found guilty of child exploitation charges. Caleb Smith, 23, of West Liberty, was found guilty this week of using a minor in a sexual performance and distributing matter portraying a sexual performance of a minor. The jury determined in March of 2021, Smith recorded a minor younger than 16 engaged in sexual activity and either distributed or intended to distribute that recording. “The protection of our children remains a vital mission of this office,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Runyon said. “We are grateful […]

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