Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Monday, November 9, 2026…

A Casey County Circuit Court jury has found Phillip Bruce Hadley of Columbia guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of his son, Jordan Hadley.

After approximately four and a half hours of deliberations on Friday evening, jurors returned the guilty verdict and recommended a 5-year prison sentence.

The shooting happened on January 13, 2026 at a residence in Adair County on S Hwy 55. Investigators said Hadley told police he shot his adult son with a .40-caliber handgun following confrontations and arguments earlier that day. Jordan Hadley later died at T.J. Sampson Hospital.

Bruce Hadley claimed self-defense during the trial, which was moved to Casey County because of a shortage of qualified jurors in Adair County.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2026 at 9 a.m. before Circuit Judge Judy Vance Murphy.
 

LEBANON, Ky. (November 6, 2026) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers and Detectives have arrested two individuals following an investigation into allegations of human trafficking and sexual offenses involving a juvenile in Marion County. 

While working on a separate, unrelated investigation earlier this year, Detective Dexter Colvin discovered evidence of human trafficking involving a juvenile in Marion County.  Following an extensive investigation, the case was presented to the Marion County Grand Jury on October 22, 2026.  The Grand Jury returned indictments for the following individuals: 

James Greg Boswell, 59, of Lebanon, was charged with Human Trafficking - Commercial Sexual Activity (Victim Under 18), Human Trafficking - Commercial Sexual Activity, Promote Use of a Minor in Sexual Activity, Unlawful Transaction with a Minor Under 18 1st Degree - Illegal Controlled Substance, and Persistent Felony Offender.   

Amanda Sweazy, 43, of Lebanon, was charged with Promoting Human Trafficking (Victim Under 18), Promoting Human Trafficking, Unlawful Transaction with a Minor Under 18 1st Degree - Illegal Controlled Substance, and Persistent Felony Offender.  

In addition, when Troopers arrived at Mr. Boswell’s residence in Marion County to serve the indictment warrant on him, they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the residence.  Troopers obtained a search warrant for the residence and located controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.  Mr. Boswell was also charged with Trafficking Controlled Substances 3rd Degree - 2nd or Greater Offense, Trafficking Marijuana 2nd or Greater Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Trooper Austin Blakeman arrested both James Greg Boswell and Amanda Sweazy yesterday and lodged them in the Marion County Detention Center.  Mr. Boswell is being held on a $100,000 bond, while Ms. Sweazy bond is set at $50,000.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by Detective Dexter Colvin. 

Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Friday, November 6, 2026...

BOWLING GREEN, KY – A Taylor County, Kentucky man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and firearm offenses.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, made the announcement.

Brad L. Smith, 63, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for trafficking in over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and possessing a handgun as a convicted felon. Smith was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

On May 19, 2020, in Taylor Circuit Court, Smith was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense, involving less than 2 grams of methamphetamine.
        
On September 5, 2009, in Perry Circuit Court, Smith was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

On September 8, 2009, in Perry Circuit Court, Smith was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (two counts), and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

In total, Smith had previously been convicted of 11 prior felony offenses and was considered an “armed career criminal” by statute.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Brad Smith’s career as a drug trafficker is over. He will be in prison until his 80’s. Smith wasted his life committing felony offenses and harming his community as a drug dealer. I sincerely hope that others see Smith’s sentence 15-year sentence and decide to stop their destructive behavior.”    

ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes stated, “This sentence underscores the serious threat posed by repeat drug traffickers who combine the distribution of dangerous narcotics with illegal firearm possession. ATF will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable, disrupt drug trafficking operations, and protect our communities.”

“Through strong partnerships and shared resources, the commonwealth was able to bring this individual to justice,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. said. “These partnerships send a clear message that those who bring illegal drugs into our communities will be held accountable.” 

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Kentucky State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Tuesday, November 3, 2026…

A fight broke out on Friday night at the Green County/East Jessamine County football game in Greensburg, KY resulting in the arrest of an East Jessamine assistant coach.

The Big Dawg cannot determine what caused the issue but during the altercation a Green County Deputy was knocked to the ground and charges of disorderly conduct and menacing were placed against East Jessamine High School Assistant Football Coach Michael Morton of Lexington, KY.

Another individual, Derek Harrison of Nicholasville, KY was charged with disorderly conduct, assault 4th degree on a police officer, and menacing. 

Both men were taken to the Taylor County Detention Center.

The Green County Dragons went on to win the football game.

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against several people. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.