Deputies make difficult arrest

McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson reports the arrest of 39-year-old Joshua Coffey on Saturday, July 22, 2023.  Coffey, who already had two active arrest warrants in place, was charged with additional counts as a result of behaviors occurring during his arrest on Saturday.

McCreary County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputies Greg Rhoades and Daniel Taylor were attempting to serve two active arrest warrants on Coffey at a residence in Whitley City, KY.  Charges in the active arrest warrants included wanton endangerment 1st degree, terroristic threatening 3rd degree, 4th degree assault, and failure to appear.

Deputies Rhoades and Taylor located Coffey at the back of a residence on Cain Road.  Coffey ran inside the residence and closed/locked the door.  Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to assist and secured the back door as the two deputies attempted to make contact at the front door.  Coffey reportedly refused to come to the door and refused to confine his pit bull dog.

The pit bull attempted to bite both deputies when they made entry into the house.  The deputies encountered Coffey in a bathroom where he refused to show his hands and attempted to wrap himself in a shower curtain, still refusing to show his hands.  Despite verbal commands, Coffey reportedly continued to reach his hands into a blind area.

When officers attempted to cuff Coffey, he allegedly jerked away.  During a second attempt to cuff, Coffey reportedly kicked Deputy Rhoades in the chest.  Coffey continued to ignore loud verbal commands to cooperate.  After a struggle, Coffey was detained and placed under arrest.

Coffey was transported and lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.  He was charged with:  (1) Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree (On Foot) (2) Disorderly Conduct, 1st Degree (3) Menacing  (4) Assault, 3rd Degree-Police Officer or Prob. Officer (5) Resisting Arrest (6) Harboring a Vicious Animal (7) Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree (8) Terroristic Threatening, 3rd Degree (9) Assault, 4th Degree and (10) Failure to Appear.