Scott County coroner enters not guilty plea in court

SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Scott County Coroner John Goble appeared in court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to several charges, including abusing the public trust and receiving stolen property.

His co-defendants, Master Trooper Mitch Harris and Retired Lt. Col. Mike Crawford, also pleaded not guilty.

Last month a grand jury formally charged the three with several felonies.

State police say, in December, they found evidence that someone was stealing Kentucky State Police ammunition.

According to a grand jury indictment, from 2013 to 2017, Goble took large quantities of ammunition from Harris when he had reason to believe Harris had stolen the ammunition.

State police say that ammunition was delivered to Goble’s home from a supply branch in Frankfort.

The indictment says Goble also took three rifles and ten shotguns from Harris when, again, he had reason to believe the guns were Kentucky State Police property.

According to the indictment, Harris took the weapons and forged signatures to cover up their absence. It also alleges that Crawford received stolen ammunition and weapons as well.

Goble is also accused of paying a man for working as a deputy coroner when he wasn’t, for having Oxycodone illegally, for transporting moonshine in a county car, and for using a county car to transport donor eyes from the Kentucky Eye Bank to West Virginia for personal profit.

Goble, Harris and Crawford all waived their right to a formal arraignment when they appeared in court Monday.

A status hearing has been scheduled for October 1 at 1 p.m.