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Former KSP Post Commander in court for stolen guns and ammo investigation

Posted at 7:18 PM, Sep 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-24 19:18:34-04

SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — On Tuesday, a former Kentucky State Police Post Commander charged in connection to the thefts of guns and ammo from KSP was back in court.

Retired KSP Captain Mike Crawford is trying to clear his name in a case involving two others and the very post he used to lead in Frankfort. Crawford, former KSP Trooper Mitch Harris, and Scott County Coroner John Goble are all charged in connection with stolen guns and ammunition from the KSP supply room.

Crawford faces two counts of receiving stolen property, a Class C felony. In court, Crawford's attorney grilled the KSP sergeant who testified before the grand jury three times.

Crawford's team is trying to prove that there was never testimony about him to back up his charges.

"Did the jury hear any evidence before it to deliberate on that Mike Crawford had received any ammunition worth 500 dollars or more? No sir," said attorney Bernard Pafunda.

More than once, Crawford's lawyer tried to get the sergeant to admit he lied, but the 28 year KSP veteran stood his ground, saying he never perjured himself.

KSP investigators said Harris, who worked in their supply room, stole 200 cases of ammo, totaling 40 grand along with shotguns and rifles, then gave them to Goble and Crawford over a four year period, including a time when Crawford was post commander. Goble and his attorney sat in on the hearing.

Crawford's attorney kept saying that police do not have the evidence to charge Crawford.

In court on Tuesday, the judge did not rule on Crawford's motion, they will be back in court on December 2 to likely hear his answer about tossing the receiving stolen property indictments.