LOCAL NEWS
By JUSTIN HOWARD
BELL COUNTY, Ky. — Johnny Ray Gambrel, 52, of Pineville, is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities allege he threatened a family, resisted arrest, and engaged in a violent confrontation with law enforcement Sunday afternoon that ended with a Bell County detective being attacked by a dog.
According to the Bell County Sheriff’s Department, Bell County Dispatch received reports on Sunday, Aug. 2, that Gambrel was shouting profanities and throwing objects at passing vehicles near a park on Greencamp Road. Investigators allege Gambrel, who was reportedly several miles from his residence, also threatened a nearby family on Wagoner Lane, including children, by stating he intended to kill them.
Detective Hunter Luttrell said deputies were already familiar with Gambrel because of previous encounters that, he said, had escalated because of Gambrel’s actions.
When Detective Luttrell and Pineville Police Officer Samson Churchwell arrived, authorities said they found Gambrel standing in the roadway in what they described as a combative stance. Officers ordered him to stop, but investigators allege Gambrel instead threatened both officers, stating, “I’ve got a gun too…and I will kill you both.” Authorities also allege he repeatedly encouraged his dog to attack the officers.
According to the sheriff’s department, officers deployed a Taser after Gambrel allegedly refused repeated commands and continued resisting. As officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, the dog reportedly attacked Detective Luttrell, biting both of his ankles and refusing to release its grip.
Authorities said officers discharged their firearms to stop the attack. The dog was struck multiple times and died from its injuries after officials determined it continued to pose an immediate threat.
Investigators said Gambrel continued resisting arrest even after being handcuffed. Deputies ultimately deployed OC spray before successfully securing him inside a patrol vehicle.
Gambrel was transported to the Bell County Detention Center and charged with:
* Terroristic Threatening, Third Degree (Class A misdemeanor – punishable by up to 12 months in jail)
* Menacing (Class B misdemeanor – punishable by up to 90 days in jail)
* Public Intoxication (Controlled Substance, Excluding Alcohol) (Class B misdemeanor – punishable by up to 90 days in jail)
* Fleeing or Evading Police, First Degree (On Foot) (Class C felony – punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison)
* Resisting Arrest (Class A misdemeanor – punishable by up to 12 months in jail)
* Disorderly Conduct, First Degree (Class A misdemeanor – punishable by up to 12 months in jail)
* Criminal Trespass, First Degree (Class A misdemeanor – punishable by up to 12 months in jail)
* Assault, Third Degree (Police Officer) (Class D felony – punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison)
According to jail staff, Gambrel remains incarcerated at the Bell County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond. According to jail staff, his next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, for a preliminary hearing.
Detective Luttrell was transported to Pineville Community Health Center for treatment of injuries sustained during the dog attack and has since been released.
The sheriff’s department also stated that deputies have previously encountered Gambrel while he was allegedly armed with a machete and a hammer. Detective Luttrell further noted that residents in the Arjay community had previously expressed concerns after Gambrel allegedly claimed to possess a firearm.
Authorities said this was the third reported incident involving Gambrel’s dog. During a previous response, a Bell County EMS employee was reportedly bitten by the animal.
Court records indicate Gambrel has an extensive arrest history spanning multiple years. However, prior arrests do not constitute proof of guilt in any current or past criminal matter.
A former inmate who stated he was housed with Gambrel at the Bell County Detention Center described the defendant’s behavior based on his personal observations.
“This guy was beyond unhinged. In my opinion, he suffers from a couple of mental illnesses. He would be happy one minute and at the door screaming obscenities and saying crazy things the next minute.”
The former inmate’s remarks reflect his personal opinion and have not been independently verified.
The allegations against Gambrel are accusations only. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
By JUSTIN HOWARD
PUBLIC NOTICE – ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE TRAINING
The Kentucky State Police will conduct an Active Shooter Response Training Exercise at Middlesboro ARH Hospital on Tuesday, August 4, from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 12:00 p.m.
The exercise will be held in the hospital’s basement and is intended to enhance emergency preparedness by providing hands-on training for hospital personnel and law enforcement officers in responding to a critical incident.
Hospital staff have been notified in advance, and the Middlesboro Police Department has been advised of the exercise. Members of the public may observe an increased law enforcement presence, including multiple Kentucky State Police vehicles on hospital property during the training.
For everyone’s safety, signs will be posted directing the public to avoid the designated training area. This is only a planned training exercise. There is no active threat to the hospital or the community.
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DEVELOPING: ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE DATA CENTER SITE WORK RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT BELL COUNTY MORATORIUM
PINEVILLE, Ky. — An alleged attempt to continue work at the site of the proposed Bell County AI data center is raising new questions about compliance with Bell County’s recently adopted two-year moratorium on data center development.
According to information provided to The Source News, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, a contractor from Pikeville, Kentucky, arrived near the proposed data center property off Highway 92 and asked Emily Diaz and members of the Diaz family, whose property adjoins the Murray Industries site, for directions to the proposed development.
Emily Diaz stated that her family informed the contractor that the Bell County Fiscal Court had adopted a two-year moratorium prohibiting the construction, development, and operation of data centers and all data storage facilities within the county’s jurisdiction.
The ordinance, approved by the Bell County Fiscal Court on July 2, 2026, provides in Section I:
“A moratorium is hereby imposed on the construction, development, and operation of data centers of any size and all data storage facilities within the jurisdiction of the Bell County Fiscal Court for a period of two (2) years effective from the date of this ordinance.”
The ordinance further states that the purpose of the moratorium is to allow Bell County officials, consultants, and stakeholders time to fully evaluate the environmental impacts, utility capacity, infrastructure demands, energy consumption, land use, economic benefits, and long-term planning associated with data center development before additional work proceeds.
According to Diaz, the contractor stated he had been hired by a third party to bring equipment to the property and continue excavation, burning, and land-clearing activities.
Diaz further alleged the contractor stated the individual who hired him was acting on behalf of Ben DeVary, one of the developers involved in the proposed Bell County data center project alongside Murray Industries. DeVary attended the Bell County Fiscal Court meeting during which the moratorium was adopted.
After learning that the moratorium was in effect, the contractor reportedly stated that he did not intend to proceed with any work until he received official documentation from Bell County. According to Diaz, the contractor requested a stop-work order or other official confirmation from the county before taking any further action.
Based on the information currently available, there is no allegation that the contractor knowingly attempted to violate the moratorium. Rather, the reported statements indicate he sought guidance from county officials after becoming aware of the ordinance and declined to proceed without official authorization.
Before the moratorium was enacted, Murray Industries had begun clearing portions of approximately 1,185 acres off Highway 92 in Bell County for the proposed AI data center project. The company also owns approximately 500 acres in the Kay Jay community of Knox County, adjacent to the Bell County property.
If the reported allegations are substantiated, they could raise questions about whether there was an attempted effort to continue work through a third-party contractor despite the county’s moratorium. However, no determination has been made by Bell County officials that the moratorium has been violated, and any such finding would ultimately depend upon an official investigation and review of the facts.
The Source News has not independently verified the allegations and is actively seeking comment from Ben DeVary, Murray Industries, the Pikeville contractor, Bell County officials, and other individuals with direct knowledge of the reported incident.
Citizens Encouraged to Contact County Officials
Residents with questions or concerns regarding the reported incident are encouraged to respectfully contact Bell County officials and request that the matter be reviewed to determine whether any investigation or enforcement action is warranted under the county’s two-year data center moratorium.
Bell County officials may be reached at:
* Judge/Executive Albert “Albey” Brock — 606-337-3076
* Magistrate Joe Hammontree — 606-524-2153
* Magistrate Donny Lefevers — 606-269-5499
* Magistrate Glenn Webb — 606-269-6999
* Magistrate Eddie Saylor — 606-337-2824
* Magistrate Lonnie Maiden — 606-269-9282
Citizens may wish to ask whether the reported incident has been reviewed by county officials, whether a formal investigation will be conducted, whether a stop-work order or other enforcement action is appropriate, and what steps Bell County intends to take to ensure the moratorium is enforced consistently.
This remains an active and developing story. The Source News is continuing to interview witnesses, obtain additional documentation, and seek official responses from all parties involved. Additional updates will be published as new information is independently verified.
Contact The Source News
JUSTIN@thesourcenewsky.COM