One of the Pulaski County constables convicted of planting evidence and drug charges has died at the Grayson County Detention Center.
Gary Baldock, 57, of Somerset, was taken to Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center last week with abdominal issues, according to Grayson County Coroner Joe Brad Hudson. When he was returned to the detention center, he was placed in an isolation cell, Hudson said.
EMS was dispatched to the GCDC Monday morning just before 8:00 after Baldock became unresponsive, with Hudson summoned to the jail soon after. Hudson pronounced Baldock deceased a little after 8:00 a.m.
It appears, Hudson said, that Baldock died of natural causes. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville.
Hudson and Kentucky State Police Detective James Gaither are leading the death investigation.
In June, a federal jury found that Baldock and fellow Pulaski County constable Michael Wallace, of Bronston, violated peoples’ rights by illegally searching or detaining them and taking money or other property without benefit of the legal process. They were convicted of conspiring to violate civil rights and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with the intent to distribute.
FBI agents found 5.9 grams of methamphetamine at Wallace’s house when they arrested him and a half-gram of the drug in the trunk of Baldock’s cruiser. Federal authorities, though, did not argue the two sold drugs, but rather that they kept drugs to plant them on people to make bogus arrests.
One witness testified Wallace and Baldock took part in setting her up on a phony drunk driving arrest, and two others testified about allegations Wallace planted evidence on them.
The agent was treated and later released from a hospital. Baldock was also shot in the incident.
Baldock pled guilty in mid-July to attempted murder of a federal agent.
Baldock was scheduled to be sentenced on all charges in October.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
