Beech Tree News Network

At 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, January 24, while driving in an unmarked cruiser on the William Natcher Parkway, Kentucky State Police Sergeant Chris McKee noticed a black 2012 Lexus SUV driving recklessly behind him at a high rate of speed.  A traffic stop was attempted.  However, the vehicle being driven by the subject fled into the city limits of Morgantown.  Sgt. McKee temporarily lost sight of the vehicle but, with the help of a bystander, was able to locate the automobile at the end of Old River Road in Morgantown.

The suspect struck a concrete barrier at the boat ramp, which landed him in the Green River.   Even though the vehicle was submerged, the subject was able to get out and flee on foot.  By this time assisting in the pursuit was KSP Canine unit, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Morgantown City Police, and KY Fish & Wildlife.  In an attempt to evade capture by the KSP Canine Unit, the suspect went into the river.  Officers then physically went into the river and apprehended the suspect.

After further investigation, the male subject was identified as John B. Moody, 31, of Nashville, TN. He is currently wanted in the state of Mississippi for a drug-related charge and probation violation.  The vehicle he was operating was a 2012 Lexus SUV that was stolen from Tennessee.

Mr. Moody was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation, and then lodged in the Butler County Jail.  He is facing charges of Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or more; Fleeing or Evading Police-1st Degree; Wanton Endangerment - 1st Degree; Reckless Driving; Resisting Arrest; as well as warrants from Mississippi

Meanwhile, at the same time various agencies were working to apprehend the suspect who fled,  Butler County Sheriff's Deputy Trey Flener was called to check on a woman who had previously claimed to the Butler County Rescue Squad that the “man who wrecked in the river was her husband.”  Previously she had called dispatch with approximately three false calls claiming a crime had been committed against her.   All her calls were made in an attempt to get law enforcement to leave the scene where KSP was looking for the male subject she claimed was her husband. After further investigation, the female subject was identified as 28-year-old Jenny L. Holliman of Southhaven, MI.  The female subject was driving silver 2011 Toyota Corolla, which was reported as stolen from Mississippi.  Ms. Holliman is currently lodged in the Butler County Jail.  She is facing charges of Receiving Stolen Property - $10,000 or more; and Falsely Reporting an Incident.

The case in regard to Ms. Holliman is being handled by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.  The Moody investigation is ongoing and is being handled by KSP Sgt. Chris McKee.  He was assisted on scene by troopers from KSP Post 3, deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, officers with the Morgantown City Police Department, officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, firefighters with the Morgantown Fire Department, and emergency personnel from the Butler County EMS.

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Story and photo by Amber McIntosh, Beech Tree News.