Investigation by Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has led to a criminal indictment against Trigg County Sheriff Jason Barnes.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced today that 50-year old Sheriff Jason Barnes of Gracey was indicted for providing alcohol to a person under 21 and later tampering with the testimony of a potential witness. The charges include one count of unlawful transaction with a minor third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and one count of tampering with a witness, a Class D felony.
A news release says an investigation conducted jointly by the Kentucky State Police, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky found that in February of 2020 Jason Barnes provided alcohol to a person under the age of 21. They also allegedly discovered that several months later, during the investigation, he knowingly practiced deceit with the intent to affect the testimony of a potential witness.
The Attorney General’s Office of Special Prosecutions was appointed to handle the case. Assistant Attorney General Alexander Garcia will prosecute the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
A warrant was issued for Barnes’ arrest, and a full cash bond is set at $2,500.
Barnes has issued his resignation, effective the end of the month. State Trooper Aaron Acree has been appointed as the next sheriff.