By Mark Maynard
Kentucky Today
The Kentucky Lions Eye Bank wants to let potential donors know the Kentucky coroner being charged with receiving stolen property didn’t steal eye donations.
The bank said they used Scott County Coroner John Goble’s services twice when commercial transportation was not feasible because of surgery time constraints, according to a release. The surgical transport tissue transported by Goble did reach its destination and the mission of the bank was completed.
The release said the bank was “saddened and concerned by this story” because it involves the mission of donation. They hold in “high regard the integrity of our mission and the stewardship of the gift,” according to a statement in the release.
Goble and retired State Police Lt. Col. Mike Crawford were indicted last week on multiple counts of receiving stolen property. The charges stem from the theft of $40,000 worth of ammunition and weapons, according to the Associated Press.
State Police began investigating the theft in December and placed Master Trooper Robert M. Harris on unpaid leave. He’s accused of providing stolen items to Goble and Crawford. Harris has been indicted of unlawful taking and second-degree forgery.
Goble also is accused of transporting a pair of donor eyes and moonshine, as well as possessing 90 Oxycodone tablets. Authorities said he took the eyeballs to West Virginia.
Goble is scheduled for arraignment in Scott County Circuit Court on July 2
