Frankfort (KY) mayor calls for investigation: stolen bourbon and illegal steroids

The mayor of our capital city is worried about the fact that the DARE officer was allowed to resign after it was determined that he was involved in buying illegal steroids from the guy who is alleged to be the ringleader of the bourbon thefts from distilleries in the region.
Apparently he's not terribly trusting that the department can investigate itself.

Given the evidence uncovered in the bourbon and steroid ring, Frankfort Mayor William May will make a request for an investigation of the Frankfort Police Department. May told The State Journal on Friday that he would request the Frankfort City Commission to authorize funding if needed for an independent investigation into the city’s police department in light of a former officer’s alleged involvement in a steroid purchasing scheme. “First of all, I immediately was shocked and disappointed that allegations were made against a Frankfort City Police Officer involved in the sale of illegal steroids,” May said. “After learning the officer did admit he was involved in it, I was further disappointed and immediately thought we needed to do some type of investigation to make sure that we clear the department and move forward so that we can restore public confidence and faith in the FPD and the administration.”

www.state-journal.com...

Here's an earlier story that outlines the DARE officer's resignation.
www.kentucky.com...

FRANKFORT — A DARE officer for the Frankfort Police Department who allegedly was involved in a transaction for anabolic steroids with a central figure in the recent high-profile bourbon thefts has resigned, a department spokesman said Wednesday. Mike Wells resigned Monday, said Maj. Rob Warfel, spokesman for the department. As a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer, Wells went into schools to warn students of the dangers of drugs. Wells, 42, has not been charged in the bourbon thefts, Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said Wednesday. Melton would not say whether he anticipated that Wells would be charged, but he said he did anticipate more arrests in the ever-expanding investigation. Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Abrams said in a statement Wednesday that Wells resigned after the department conducted an internal investigation. Read more here: www.kentucky.com...=cpy

Apparently there was a ring of folks, including police, if the informants are to be believed, who were buying the stolen bourbon and selling illegal steroids. So far, only 9 people have been indicted but apparently the mayor thinks some of the bad guys may have been "overlooked" in the internal investigation conducted by FPD.
It smells worse than a sour mash dump!

a reply to: diggindirt

Got I love my state . Where else would you have to ask the question which high profile bourbon heist ? Lol


Was it the guys that were stealing the barrels from Jim Beam or the group that stole 200 bottles of pappy Vanwinkle ?

Eric Holder would be ever so proud!

a reply to: Greathouse
Seems, from the word around town, that the heists were the work of a single conspiracy which involved a lot of people. I've heard that as high as 30 people could be indicted before the whole thing is done. But that is just hearsay in Anderson and Franklin county.

What I find interesting is the fact that the AG's office didn't want to touch this---at this time---"Let the other investigation finish before we begin." or words to that effect. You know, in every criminal investigation I've ever witnessed the authorities wanted to conduct investigations immediately, if not sooner, due to "fading memory" or witness availability, etc. Maybe they are waiting for the primary witnesses to do a "Donna Bayless"?

I say "Good for the Mayor!" for not allowing the foxes with feathers hanging from their lips to declare themselves innocent.

a reply to: diggindirt

Between Franklin, Anderson, Woodford, and Jessamine PD's, it's like one giant club. Internal politics are everything. If you get on the AG's, district attorney, and/or chief's radar, you're hung out to try. It wouldn't even surprise me if there are a few judges wrapped up in the mix. They all tend to scratch each others back.

a reply to: diggindirt

EternalSolace touched a bit on my reply. I think the problem is going to lay more with the bourbon involvement . Kentucky has always been the bourbon state and it still is because a lot of old money, political connections and taxes .

Wonder if this mayor is going to get label of turning his back on the PD for this.

Good to hear though, exactly what should happen.

originally posted by: Sremmos80
Wonder if this mayor is going to get label of turning his back on the PD for this.

Good to hear though, exactly what should happen.

If he pushes the right buttons, they will burry him one way or another. The politics around here are rather brutal.

a reply to: EternalSolace

I hear ya! I'm not from the area but have a whole bunch of friends/contacts in the area.
I've heard some of the wildest tales coming from that area. "A nest of vipers" was one description put forth.
Some are saying that the FBI needs to be called back in (remember BOPTROT?) because this case crosses state lines in the buying and selling of illegal steroids. It has been suggested to me by retired LEOs that the illegal steroid business is big in law enforcement across the entire state. Gee, where could the pipeline for that be?

originally posted by: Greathouse
a reply to: diggindirt

EternalSolace touched a bit on my reply. I think the problem is going to lay more with the bourbon involvement . Kentucky has always been the bourbon state and it still is because a lot of old money, political connections and taxes .

That's exactly the angle I'm expecting to see emphasized. They will definitely try to brush the steroid aspect under the rug. That part of the case is where the Feds could be called in because there is evidence of the crimes crossing state lines. That's the last thing this administration wants to happen right now so they will paint it all up as a bunch of hillbillies swapping stolen bourbon.

a reply to: EternalSolace

I don't know the man personally, having only met him a few times at various functions in the area. He has some pretty solid support from some of the folks I know up there. He's the first to serve since term limits were removed so I guess that says something. I didn't follow the elections up there so I have no idea if he had real opposition or not.
If I were him, I'd be having my techies checking my e-gadgets constantly for child porn. That's a pretty popular method of getting rid of elected officials who step out of line.

a reply to: diggindirt

We'll probably see the mayor resign or step down soon after threat of being taken down.

a reply to: EternalSolace

I wouldn't wager that one either way but a resignation from the police chief wouldn't surprise me. It wouldn't surprise me if an outside investigation turned up evidence that the internal investigation "missed" if the outside investigation can get started in a timely manner.
There are conflicting reports on several questions.
Who was supplying the 'roids?
How did they travel into the state?
Who else was buying these illegal drugs and distributing them?
If, as it has been alleged, the drugs were ordered on the net, why has the FBI not entered this investigation?

The chief's blanket denial of all charges by the informants was a bit over the top to a lot of people.

a reply to: diggindirt

Oh Dear! Another kill-joy for people in the Department enjoying themselves.

What can one say apart from the blatantly obvious fact, that you cannot trust people to investigate their own colleagues. Duhh, especially where Bourbon and steroids are concerned! I have smiled indignation on my face reading this one.

a reply to: diggindirt

Sounds like responsible mayoring to me. Thanks for bringing this to my attention--I live in the NKY area and only get Cincinnati news mostly, so it's good to hear about something that actually affects my state.