June 7, 2018
KSP TROOPER, FORMER TROOPER AND SCOTT CORONER INDICTED FOR FORGERY AND THEFT OF KSP PROPERTY
Kentucky Press News Service
FRANKFORT – Following a special investigation by Kentucky State Police, a Scott County grand jury has returned indictments on three individuals involved in forgery and theft of KSP property.
According to a KSP news release, Master Trooper Mitch Harris was indicted on two counts of second-degree forgery and two counts of theft by unlawful taking over $10,000. Scott County Coroner John Goble was indicted on one count of receiving stolen property over $10,000, receiving stolen property (firearm), abuse of public trust less than $10,000, trafficking in controlled substance and two counts of official misconduct first degree. Michael Crawford, a retired KSP lieutenant colonel, was indicted for receiving stolen property over $10,000 and receiving a stolen firearm.
On Dec. 20, 2017, KSP uncovered evidence that state police ammunition was being misappropriated. KSP initially contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to request their assistance. The FBI declined to investigate and KSP launched an internal investigation through their Special Investigations Branch.
Through the course of the investigation, officials determined that more than $40,000 in ammunition had been unlawfully removed from the KSP Supply Branch in Frankfort and delivered to Goble’s residence. Harris was immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave when the investigation began. The investigation also revealed that several firearms were sold to Crawford, who was not authorized to purchase them.
The Scott County grand jury returned the indictments in the form of summonses for all three individuals. More information will follow as court dates are set for this ongoing investigation.
