A longtime eastern Kentucky sheriff has been accused of pilfering more than $50,000 in cash his office seized during various drug investigations.
Keith Cooper, 68, former Greenup County Sheriff, was indicted for mail fraud and theft of property from a federally funded agency. He served as sheriff from 1996 until 2018.
Prosecutors allege Cooper made cash withdrawals from the Greenup County’s Sheriff’s Office asset forfeiture fund between 2013 and 2017. Cooper kept the seized cash and items from drug investigations in his office instead of an evidence locker.
Once an inquiry into the missing money began, officials said Cooper instructed deputies to file false police reports that he then provided to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, one of the investigating agencies.
He is also accused of buying $30,000 in ammunition for his personal use, and using county vehicles and fuel to take several out-of-state trips unrelated to his law enforcement duties.
Cooper faces up to 20 years in prison on the mail fraud count and 10 years for the theft charge.
In addition to the Attorney’s General’s Office, the case was investigated by the FBI.
(Photo of former Greenup Co. Sheriff Keith Cooper courtesy of WCHSTV.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
