3 Grayson Co. residents now accused of operating a criminal syndicate

A third Grayson County man has been accused of operating a criminal syndicate by committing multiple burglaries in Butler County.

A Butler County Grand Jury recently indicted 29-year-old Johnny G. Haynes, of Leitchfield, for engaging in organized crime (criminal syndicate), two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of theft by unlawful taking (more than $1,000), two counts of receiving stolen property (more than $1,000), third-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree criminal trespass, first-degree criminal mischief, and first-degree persistent felony offender.

Haynes joins two other Grayson County residents, 27-year-old Nikolas A. Montgomery, of Leitchfield, and 48-year-old Joseph W. Thomas, of Clarkson, who are accused of committing burglaries in Butler County on May 21, 2025.

The trio allegedly stole jewelry, a go-cart, a Honda four-wheeler and other items during the spree which included pilfering properties in the 1900 block of McKendree Chapel Road and the 1700 block of Al Embry Road.

K105 previously reported that Montgomery and Thomas were indicted in Butler County for engaging in organized crime (criminal syndicate), two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of theft by unlawful taking (more than $1,000), two counts of receiving stolen property (more than $1,000), third-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree criminal trespass, and first-degree criminal mischief.

Thomas, like Haynes, was indicted on a first-degree persistent felony offender count.

Haynes’ previous brush with the law

Haynes, on October 26, 2017, faced 58 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, among other charges, for driving then-35-year-old Robert A. Carter as Carter fled police after shooting and killing 29-year-old James Parks in Caneyville and then robbing a Fordsville bank at gunpoint.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com