Pennsylvania man facing multiple charges in McCracken Co. | Crime

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - A Pennsylvania man was arrested in Ballard County after a traffic stop and faces multiple charges from McCracken County.

Johnathan J. Peterson, Jr., 45 from Eire, Pa., was charged with tampering with physical evidence, theft by unlawful taking under $500, fraudulent use of credit card $500-$10,000, criminal mischief third degree and criminal trespass second degree.

On Jan. 7, the sheriff's department says deputies responded to Energy Fitness at 2343 New Holt Road for a report of a theft. Deputies arrived and spoke to the victim, who told them he had entered the gym around 3 p.m, and locked his belongings up to go work out. He says when he returned around 4 p.m., his belongings were missing from the locker in the gym. The victim’s wallet, keys, and pocket knife were missing, along with the lock that secured the locker.

Around 6 p.m., deputies were contacted by Sheriff Todd Cooper of the Ballard County Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Cooper told them he had recovered the wallet of the victim on a traffic stop.

According to Sheriff Cooper, Ballard County Dispatch received a complaint of a DUI driver. Sheriff Cooper stopped the suspected DUI driver, conducted a DUI investigation and arrested the driver for driving under the influence. When he looked inside the car, Sheriff Cooper says he noticed several things in the passenger’s seat that appeared to be the result of criminal activity. Cooper says there were several cut locks, a pair of bolt cutters and receipts for recently purchased merchandise. He says a further search found that the driver, Peterson, was in possession of the victim’s wallet, keys and knife.

According to Cooper, the vehicle also contained recently purchased power tools, consumer electronics, alcohol and cigarettes that were determined to be bought with the victim’s debit card. It was determined that the purchases were all made with the victim’s debit card from businesses close to the Energy Fitness and totaling several thousands of dollars.

The joint investigation led McCracken County deputies to get warrants for Peterson, as well as additional charges in Ballard County for Receiving Stolen Property Over $500.

On Feb. 5, Peterson’s case was bound over to be heard by a McCracken County Grand Jury. Peterson is being held in the Ballard County Detention Facility on Ballard and McCracken County criminal charges.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank Sheriff Todd Cooper and the Ballard County Sheriff’s office for the hard work and keen eye that went into building this criminal case.. 

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