Perry County, Ky – Perry County Sheriff Joe Engle is asking for the public’s help after a break-in at Orthodox Baptist Church on Holiday Hill in Ary. Engle posted on social media Tuesday night that someone broke into the church and said he believes someone knows who is responsible. He asked anyone with information to contact him directly. The post did not say when the break-in happened or whether anything was stolen.

Magoffin County, Ky – A former Magoffin County Middle School teacher has pleaded guilty to online solicitation and harassment involving a 14‑year‑old student. He admitted using Snapchat in May 2023 to send sexual messages and explicit photos, then later sending threatening messages on Facebook. Jordan Cobb, 32, pleaded guilty to procuring the use of a minor by electronic means and to harassing communications. Under a plea agreement, he will serve a five‑year prison sentence with no probation, concurrent with related federal charges, and is scheduled for sentencing June 5.

Pike County, Ky – A Pikeville man is facing felony marijuana trafficking and other drug charges after officers say they found more than 5 pounds of marijuana while serving an arrest warrant. Police say 42‑year‑old Austin M. Jones was the subject of a Floyd County warrant when Pikeville Officer Jonathan Ray went to his home on Upper Chloe Creek Road on March 19, obtained a search warrant, and found evidence of marijuana cultivation inside. Jones was later found at a neighboring residence, where officers executing a second warrant reported finding more than 5 pounds of marijuana, along with buprenorphine, psilocybin, and drug paraphernalia. He now faces multiple trafficking and possession charges connected to both the earlier Floyd County case and the new Pikeville Police investigation and was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.

Belfry, Ky – A Belfry man is facing multiple charges, including attempted use of a minor in a sexual performance, after an incident on March 19.Kentucky State Police say Troopers K. Hamilton and C. Cross went to a home at Elkins Fork in Hatfield to assist a state social services investigator and made contact with 36‑year‑old Robert L. Blankenship of Flower Garden Hollow and a boy under 16. According to court documents, investigators heard allegations that Blankenship physically and sexually abused three children, touched them inappropriately, and offered sexual favors. They also obtained videos that allegedly show Blankenship punching one child and engaging in sexually related contact with another.