Two Men Arrested After KSP Vehicle Pursuit in Johnson County
PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — Two men were arrested Sunday after a traffic stop attempt developed into a vehicle pursuit through Johnson County, according to Kentucky State Police Post 9.
KSP reported that the incident began at approximately 10:49 a.m. on August 2, 2026, when a state police sergeant attempted to stop a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado traveling along U.S. 23 in the Paintsville area.
Police said the truck had no visible registration plate and appeared to have excessive window tint. When the sergeant activated his emergency lights and attempted to initiate the stop, the driver allegedly refused to pull over.
The pursuit continued onto Kentucky Route 825. Troopers eventually brought the pursuit to an end by using a Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly referred to as a PIT maneuver, to disable the truck.
The driver, identified as Christopher Mollette of Martin County, and the passenger, identified as William Cantrell of Johnson County, were taken into custody without further incident.
During the investigation, troopers allegedly discovered more than $1,000 worth of suspected stolen AT&T communication line inside the vehicle. Police also reported finding tools believed to have been used to cut and remove the line.
Mollette was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. According to KSP, he currently faces the following charges:
– First-degree fleeing or evading police
– Reckless driving
– First-degree criminal mischief
– Resisting arrest
– Operating a motor vehicle under the influence, second offense
– Receiving stolen property
– Possession of burglary tools
– Additional traffic-related offenses
Cantrell was also lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. He is currently charged with:
– Receiving stolen property
– Possession of burglary tools
– Criminal littering
The investigation remains under the direction of Kentucky State Police Post 9.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Charges should not be considered a final disposition of any criminal case. Charges may be amended, reduced, dismissed, or otherwise changed as a case progresses through the court system.
