Cop who drove ATV while drunk with 5 children, assaulted officers, indicted on several felonies

james-bradley-2
james-bradley-2

A now former Paintsville police officer has been indicted on multiple felonies after driving an ATV while drunk on a public roadway with several children on the vehicle and assaulting officers.

A Johnson County Grand Jury indicted 37-year-old James Bradley, of Paintsville, on two counts of third-degree assault, (class D felony), five counts of first-degree wanton endangerment (class D felony) and misdemeanor charges involving driving under the influence and reckless behavior, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Bradley was a police officer with the Paintsville Police Department on Saturday, May 17, 2025, when he drove an ATV to a Taco Bell drive-thru at approximately 12:15 a.m. An employee called 911 and reported that Bradley appeared to be intoxicated. Additionally, there were five children on the ATV, open containers of alcohol and a cooler in the back of the vehicle.

Paintsville officers arrived at the scene and observed Bradley leaving the restaurant while noting he “could not maintain proper lane position” and was “swerving,” according to a report by the Paintsville Herald.

As Bradley neared an intersection, and “with no due regard for safety of the highway or all six passengers inside the vehicle,” disregarded the traffic control device as he entered Hwy 40, the newspaper reports.

Officers stopped the vehicle as Bradley displayed slurred speech, smelled of alcohol, and could not maintain his balance during a field sobriety test.

He was transported to Paintsville Appalachian Regional Hospital where he refused to cooperate with officers and medical staff, including standing on the hospital bed before falling and “striking both officers,” the Paintsville Herald reports.

He was charged at the time of his arrest with DUI (aggravating circumstances), five counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of third-degree assault a police officer, and second-degree disorderly conduct along with traffic offenses.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com

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