All charges dropped against London man whose arrest prompted FBI notification

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 News Now) — A Laurel County prosecutor dismissed all five charges against Cody Grimshaw on April 28, less than a week after the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office notified the FBI that a deputy witnessed an officer slap Grimshaw while he was in custody.

Court records show all charges were dismissed by motion of the prosecutor with no trial.

The arrest

Grimshaw was arrested on April 22, 2026, after police say he became physically aggressive with officers responding to a disturbance call that originated on Hicks Lane. The disturbance began when Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area in reference to an out-of-control individual. The complaint involved a man who had reportedly walked away from a treatment facility operated by Inspired Living.

The subject and the caller later moved to a field behind Lowe’s Home Improvement on Keavy Road, where the subject allegedly began throwing rocks at the caller. London Police Department officers arrived on scene before Laurel County deputies. Upon deputies’ arrival, both agencies were already engaged in a physical struggle with the subject.

According to the London Police Department citation, a 911 call came in at around 6:32 p.m. Officers located Grimshaw walking through the grass between Lowe’s Home Improvement and Planet Fitness. The citation states he was being physically and verbally aggressive and swinging his arms erratically.

Officers reportedly gave several verbal commands to stop walking away, but Grimshaw refused to comply. When officers got within arm’s length, the citation states he turned and attempted to strike an officer in the face.

Officers took Grimshaw to the ground by tackling him into a brier patch. The citation states the fall caused minor visible injury and bleeding. Officers then used empty-hand techniques to retrieve Grimshaw’s hands, which were pinned under his body. After a brief struggle, he was placed in custody and put in the back of a patrol vehicle.

Once inside the vehicle, the citation states Grimshaw began spitting on officers and attempted to bite Officer Proffitt. A spit mask was applied. A Laurel County Sheriff’s deputy assisted in restraining Grimshaw before he was taken into custody by the London Police Department.

FBI notified after deputy witnesses officer slap man in custody

Following the arrest, Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies became aware that an officer had slapped Grimshaw after he was taken into custody. Deputies reported this information to their supervisor on April 22, and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Command Staff was made aware of the incident the same day.

On April 23, Command Staff reviewed all available information related to the incident. Based on that review, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office notified the FBI.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing review of the incident.

Charges and dismissal

Grimshaw was charged with 5 counts on April 22, 2026. All were dismissed by motion of the prosecutor on April 28, 2026, with no trial: