Barrels and bottles of the recovered Pappy Van Winkle and Eagle Rare bourbons are displayed at the Franklin County Sheriff’s office. (Photo by Wayne Stacy)
By Wayne Stacy
NKyTribune correspondent
In a case that has spanned more than two years, nine people in what was called “an organized crime syndicate” have been indicted on multiple counts including theft of bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County and Wild Turkey Distillery in Anderson County.
In addition, to theft, the nine were also indicted on counts relating to trafficking in anabolic steroids.
Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton announced indictments handed down by the Franklin County Grand Jury at a press conference that included representatives from the Kentucky attorney general’s office, and other state law enforcements agencies.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Zachary Becker (Photo by Wayne Stacy)
Gilbert ‘Toby’ Curtsinger, of Frankfort was indicted on eight criminal counts: Two counts of receiving stolen property in excess of $10,000, a class C felony; three counts of enhanced trafficking in a controlled substance, second degree, a class C felony; one count of possession of enhanced drug paraphernalia, a class D felony; one count of complicity and trafficking in a controlled substance, second degree, a class D felony. Additionally, Julie Curtsinger, Gilbert Curtsinger’s wife, was charged with possession of a firearm while possessing drug paraphernalia, complicity to trafficking, and engaging in organized crime, all felonies.
The indictment states between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 11, 2015, Curtsinger with his wife’s knowledge and assistance, committed the crimes including the now infamous theft of rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon now dubbed “Pappy-Gate.”
Others indicted in the theft and trafficking ring included Christopher L. Preston, and his son, Joshua T. Preston, both of Frankfort. Joshua Preston was charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, second degree, a class D felony; and one count of possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor. Christopher Preston also was charged with one count of complicity to trafficking in a controlled Substance, second degree, a class D felony.
Mark S. Searcy, of Lawrenceburg, Ronnie Lee Hubbard, of Georgetown, Robert M. McKinney, of Frankfort, Shawn R. Ballard, of Richmond, and Dusty H. Adkins, of Georgetown, were charged in the indictment, each 1 count, as individuals engaging in organized crime, Class B Felony.
The summary of the indictment, released at the end of the press conference to KyForward and the NKYTribune states:
“On or about and between the 1st day of January, 2008 and the 7th day of April, 2015, in Franklin County, Kentucky, the above named defendants: Gilbert Curtsinger, Julie Curtsinger, Mark Searcy, Ronnie Lee Hubbard, Dustin Adkins, Shawn Ballard, Christopher Preston, Joshua Preston, Robert McKinney were members of a criminal syndicate that collaborated to promote or engage in 1) the theft and receiving of stolen property from Buffalo Trace Distillery, 2) the theft and receiving of stolen property from Wild Turkey Distillery, 3) the illegal trafficking in intoxicating or spirituous liquor, and/or 4) the illegal trafficking in anabolic steroids on a continuing basis and thereby committed the offense of engaging in organized crime when with the purpose of establishing or maintaining said criminal syndicate or to facilitate any activities of said criminal syndicate, they organized or participated in the organizing the criminal syndicate or any of its activities; provided material aid to the criminal syndicate or any of its activities; managed, supervised or directed any of the activities of the criminal syndicate; committed, conspired or attempted to commit or act as an accomplice in 1) the theft and receiving of stolen property from Buffalo Trace Distillery, 2) the theft and receiving of stolen property from Wild Turkey Distillery, 3) the illegal trafficking in intoxicating or spirituous liquor, and/or 4) the illegal trafficking in anabolic steroids.
Against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Kentucky”
Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton (Photo by Wayne Stacy)
In a statement that became emotional, Melton recognized the final six weeks of intense investigative efforts of his department and specifically his detectives squad. He said the investigation led them to numerous counties across Kentucky, into West Virginia and to Indiana.
While the investigation crossed state lines, Melton stated that the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) had deferred jurisdiction to the commonwealth. From statements collected during the investigation, the enterprise began with the various individuals’ participation in playing the sport of softball in intramural community leagues, as well as a family relationship. Gilbert Curtsinger is the son-in-law of Robert McKinney, father of Julie Curtsinger.
The commonwealth’s attorney, along with the team of detectives from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Cyber Crimes Division of the attorney general’s office, identified Gilbert Curtsinger as the leader. As a senior employee at Buffalo Trace Distillery for more than 20 years, he had nearly unlimited access to the product lines there. Sheriff Melton stated that all evidence pointed to Curtsinger, as well as Christopher Preston, also a long-time employee of Buffalo Trace, and Mark Searcy, an employee at Wild Turkey, as the perpetrators on the inside. He noted that quantities of bourbon have gone missing from Buffalo Trace for many years.
“It has been a very long pattern of behavior; this is likely the tip of the iceberg; the investigation is on-going and other indictments may follow,” Melton said.
When asked if other distilleries had been targeted by the syndicate, Melton said that there was no evidence others had been victimized or were involved.
There were no representatives from either Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey on hand to answer questions, but both distilleries released a joint statement, read by Melton:
“Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey have been working in full cooperation with the investigation of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices. We thank the authorities for their efforts on this case and appreciate their swift, thorough detective work to get this in front of the Grand Jury as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. We take this matter very seriously and support the prosecution of anyone found in violation of the state or federal government laws related to our businesses. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further comments at this time and will refer all questions to Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton”
On display to the media were individual bottles, and full cases of the rare Pappy Van Winkle and Eagle Rare bourbons; 20 cases of Pappy varieties, and between 50 and 70 cases of the Eagle Rare. There were also 18 barrels of bourbon from both Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey Distilleries, including five barrels of Russell’s Reserve.
Some of the barrels were recovered from Scott, Harrison and Laurel counties. The value of the recovered product could be as high as $100,000.00.
“They were selling the product well below market value,” Melton said. “A full barrel was being sold for about $1,800. The bourbon was the money maker of the organization, but they may have made as little as $10,000.”
Melton noted that much of, if not all, the bourbon may end up being destroyed, particularly the barreled bourbon because the true content cannot be certified as safe under the law, since it has been out of the distilleries control.
