Eastern KY sheriff wanted on assault charge after fight at high school basketball game

Jeremy Chisenhall, Bill Estep, Valarie Honeycutt Spears
·2 min read

Update: Owsley County Sheriff Brent Lynch was arrested on Dec. 9, according to Kentucky State Police. Read the new story here.

The Owsley County sheriff was wanted for an assault charge after he allegedly got involved in a fight at a girls’ high school basketball game last week, according to Kentucky State Police.

Police had been searching for Brent Lynch, the county sheriff, since Tuesday when an arrest warrant was issued. The fight happened on Friday during a girls’ basketball game at Perry County Central High School, state police said. Perry County was playing against Owsley County High School.

“During an altercation between players during the game, it is alleged Mr. Lynch, who is also part of the coaching staff for Owsley County High School, assaulted a juvenile female,” state police said in a press release.

Lynch allegedly rushed the floor and struck a Perry County player, State Trooper Matthew Gayheart said. State police previously said they’d been unable to find Lynch.

Owsley County Schools Superintendent Tim Bobrowski said Wednesday that Owsley school officials are “fully complying” with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s recommendations. Lynch was suspended for one game, Bobrowski said.

“Per KHSAA’s recommendations, both teams have suspended four student athletes for two games,” Bobrowski said.

Perry County Superintendent Jonathan Jett told the Herald-Leader Wednesday that officials who were working the game ejected two players. He said he was aware of an investigation but he did not want to comment on the alleged assault.

Owsley County Judge-Executive Cale Turner said Lynch served several years as a Kentucky State Police officer before running for sheriff. Lynch, a Republican, is in his first term as sheriff.

Turner said his experience is that Lynch is a mild-mannered person. The assault allegation doesn’t fit what he knows of Lynch, Turner said.

”That don’t sound good,” Turner said of the charge, “but it’s hard for me to believe he would do that. That seems out of character for him to me.”

The Owsley County sheriff’s office declined to comment.