Beech Tree News Network

UPDATE: Former Butler County Sheriff Joe Gaddie pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to first-degree criminal abuse. He appeared with his attorney Phil Kimble, of Bowling Green, in Butler Circuit Court. A special prosecutor has been assigned to the case, and Butler Circuit Judge Ronnie Dortch said in court that he is considering recusing himself.

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April 20, 2015

A former Butler County sheriff was arrested earlier today - Monday, April 20 - on one charge of abuse of a minor in the first degree. Joe Gaddie, 66, of Quality, was taken into custody by the Kentucky State Police and transported to the Butler County Jail, where he posted $5,000 cash bail and was released. Gaddie's arrest stems from an indictment by a Butler County Grand Jury on April 16.  .
Gaddie, a former KSP trooper and detective who retired in 2002, was elected Butler County Sheriff in 2006. He served one term before losing a primary challenge from current Sheriff Scottie Ward.

Sgt. Tucker Carmichael (KSP-Post 3) appeared before the Butler County Grand Jury as a witness for the Commonwealth.  Gaddie is scheduled to appear in court on May 12. 
According to a story posted online by the Bowling Green Daily News, KSP spokesman Trooper B.J. Eaton declined to release any details about the investigation.

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Below is a companion story as published Tuesday in the Bowling Green Daily News:

Former Butler sheriff indicted

Former Butler County Sheriff Joe Gaddie was arrested Monday on an indictment warrant issued by a Butler County grand jury.  Gaddie, 66, of Quality, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal abuse, according to a news release from Kentucky State Police.  Gaddie is also a retired state police trooper, retiring from KSP as a detective in 2002. He became sheriff in Butler County in January 2007, and his term ended Dec. 31, 2010.  KSP spokesman Trooper B.J. Eaton declined to release any details about the investigation.
Gaddie is accused of abusing a child less than 12 years old who was in his care, Butler County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tim Coleman said.  Coleman declined to release specifics about the case. Gaddie does not have any children in his care now, Coleman said.
“It was presented to the grand jury, and they issued an indictment” on April 14, Coleman said.
Kentucky law defines first-degree criminal abuse as intentional abuse of another person of whom the abuser has custody and causes serious physical injury, places the child in a situation that may cause the child serious physical injury or causes torture, cruel confinement or cruel punishment to someone less than 12 years old or who is physically or mentally helpless.
If convicted as charged, Gaddie could spend five to 10 years in prison.
Complaints were raised about Gaddie’s performance as sheriff in 2008. Some magistrates at the time were publicly critical of him, and Coleman at the time said one person complained to him about Gaddie, “but I didn’t see any basis to go forward.”
Gaddie was lodged in the Butler County Jail and bonded out Monday. Someone who answered the phone at the jail declined to release any bond information.
Arraignment is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 12 in Butler Circuit Court.

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By Deborah Highland
Bowling Green Daily News
Kentucky Press News Service
Date: 04-21-2015