Barbourville Man Arrested on Drug and Threat Charges

KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Barbourville man was arrested Wednesday after Knox County deputies executed an arrest warrant at a residence in the city, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies say they were serving an arrest warrant on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at a home located at 70 School Street in Barbourville. Authorities say the homeowner, identified as 40-year-old Robert Williams, gave deputies verbal consent to search the residence.

During the search, deputies reportedly found a clear bag of suspected marijuana inside a dresser in the bedroom where Williams was staying, along with white oval pills found in a pair of his pants. Investigators also say that clear bags of suspected methamphetamine were discovered inside a safe to which Williams allegedly had the keys.

According to the complaint warrant, a female victim told police that Williams had recently been released from jail on January 9 on bond. She reported that when he returned home, Williams allegedly grabbed an AK-47-style rifle and made statements that he was going to “massacre” his family.

The victim further reported that Williams had pointed firearms at her, fired a gun through a bedroom door, and threatened to kill her multiple times. She told officers she feared for her life and believed he would carry out the threats.

Williams was arrested and lodged in the Knox County Detention Center. He is charged with:

• Illegal possession of a legend drug

• Possession of marijuana

• First-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine)

In the complaint warrant, Williams is also charged with third-degree terroristic threatening and first-degree wanton endangerment involving the discharge of a firearm.

The investigation remains ongoing.c