Two current Kentucky State Police troopers and a former trooper have been indicted for using excessive force on an arrestee, conspiring to cover up that excessive force, and illegally entering a home, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
A federal grand jury in London returned a superseding indictment charging Trooper Jeremy Elliotte, 28, and former Trooper Derrek Lovett, 30, with willfully depriving an arrestee of the right to be free from unreasonable force.
Elliotte was also charged with willfully depriving three others of their right to be free from unreasonable searches.
Michael L. Howell, 32, a current trooper, was the third defendant named in the superseding indictment. He was previously indicted in June 2022, for conspiracy and obstruction charges.
The superseding indictment now charges all three with conspiracy and with engaging in obstructive conduct with the intent to prevent communication of information to federal law enforcement relating to the possible commission of a federal offense, prosecutors said.
The indictment alleges that Elliotte and Lovett, “aiding and abetting one another and acting under color of law, assaulted a victim without legitimate law enforcement justification and that this assault resulted in bodily injury.”
The indictment further alleges that all three conspired to conceal the true nature of the force Elliotte and Lovett used against the arrestee, and the circumstances under which they used it, according to prosecutors.
The indictment states that the three defendants developed a cover story about what happened. While hoping the assault had not been recorded, prosecutors said the conspirators agreed upon a version that was as close as possible to what a recording would show, in case the assault had been recorded.
The indictment also alleges that on the night of the assault, Elliotte unlawfully entered a home without a warrant or other legal justification, depriving three victims living there of their right to be free from unreasonable searches.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI.
Each of the accused faces up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy and obstruction charges. Elliotte and Lovett face up to 10 years for the deprivation of rights charge related to the assault, and Elliotte faces up to one year for the deprivation of rights charge related to the unlawful entry.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
