PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A Prestonsburg dentist accused of evidence tampering in the murder of Amber Spradlin has formally asked the court to release him from home incarceration and drug testing requirements.

Spradlin’s body was found June 18, 2023, at the Arkansas Creek home of dentist Michael McKinney. McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder, while both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are charged with multiple counts of evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

Michael McKinney and Mullins were both released from jail to home incarceration with work release shortly after their indictments. Now, in a motion filed with the court on Thursday, Michael McKinney is asking to be freed of those conditions.

The motion notes that McKinney has been in home incarceration for 21 months with no violations and no new criminal charges. It also says the random drug testing requirements are having a negative impact on his business, since he is required to leave patients waiting for up to two hours when he is called to give a sample.

Attorneys for Michael McKinney and Mullins both said in the last hearing May 11 that they would ask the court to be released from home incarceration and drug testing. Attorneys for M.K. McKinney said they would also ask for an amendment to his release conditions, but did not specify what changes they would seek.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner indicated at the same hearing that he would agree to the release of Michael McKinney and Mullins, if the court thought it warranted, but he would oppose any attempt to release M.K. McKinney.

There has been no response yet to the motion.

A copy of the motion follows:

The post McKinney asks to be freed from home incarceration, drug testing appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Floyd County man who was indicted on armed drug trafficking charges earlier this year will remain behind bars while he awaits a resolution to his case.

David Lee Ousley, 44, of Martin, was arrested Jan. 15, after Kentucky State Police raided his home and seized nearly three-quarters of a pound of meth, 7 lbs. of marijuana, an assortment of pills, more than $6,700 in cash and more than 30 guns.

A week later, his case was bumped up to federal court, when he was indicted for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, possession of more than 50 grams of meth with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in a drug-trafficking crime. If convicted, he could face a minimum of 15 years in prison, up to a maximum of two consecutive life sentences.

His attorney requested a detention hearing to see if he could qualify for release on bail. That hearing was held Tuesday in Frankfort federal court, and on Wednesday, a federal magistrate ruled that Ousley would remain in jail.

In his detention order, the judge concluded there were no pretrial release conditions he could set that would guarantee the safety of the community, due to the seriousness of the charges, Ousley’s likelihood of reoffending, and his history of violence, substance abuse and mental illness.

Ousley is currently being held in the Grayson County Detention Center. His trial has been set for June 11.

The post Floyd man ordered to remain in jail pending federal drug and gun trial appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

Troopers lay wreaths on fallen Post 9 troopers.

The post KSP honoring fallen officers this week appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

Appalachian Center for the Arts and AppalReD Legal Aid just a few of those involved.

The post 24-hour KY Gives raises money for non-profits statewide appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

Experts talk about amount of evidence, processes, reasons for delay, and possible release from home incarceration.

The post Former attorney and public defender discuss Spradlin trial appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

State Crime Lab employee explains delay in DNA evidence processing.

The post Spradlin trial delayed again appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A third high-ranking employee has filed suit against Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, claiming she was fired for not following orders to submit false billing codes.

Kristy Stiltner, of Van Lear, filed her complaint May 1. In it, she says she was a 22-year employee of the organization who most recently served as Mental Health Director.

Stiltner makes claims that she was told to engage in improper billing practices in order to generate more revenue for the company. Her claims are nearly identical to allegations made by former Chief Financial Officer Rebeckah Hall and former Regional Billing Coordinator Rachel Williams.

Allegations made by all three women include:

• Billing for services provided at a federally-qualified health center to increase revenue, when services were provided at a different location
• Refraining from engaging with Medicaid and Medicare for inquiries or clarification of charges identified by the CEO as billable
• Billing for services under the credentials of a licensed provider when they were not rendered by a licensed provider, in order to obtain a higher reimbursement rate

In addition to those claims, Stiltner says she was also directed to “bill a certain amount of service per client, regardless if the services were necessary or warranted.”

Hall and Williams made two other claims not made by Stiltner. They include:

• Not correcting billing codes after the Covid pandemic to reflect that services were provided as “audio only”
• Changing billing locations despite being told by the Financial and Billing departments that the action violated state law

Stiltner says after she refused to engage in the fraudulent billing practices, her supervisors placed her in a hostile work environment. Unlike Hall and Williams, who resigned from their positions due to the working conditions, Stiltner remained until she was fired. When she was terminated, she said CEO Promod Bishnoi told her, “This just isn’t working out.”

Prior to that, Stiltner says she received excellence performance reviews, was given pay raises and promotions, and had never received disciplinary action.

Stiltner is seeking compensation for past, present and future mental and physical pain, suffering and anguish; emotional distress; lost wages; medical and hospital bills; retirement and other employee benefits; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; costs; attorney’s fees; and punitive damages.

Attorneys for Mountain Comprehensive Care did not respond to a request from Mountain Top News for comment. The company has not yet responded to the latest complaint, but has denied the allegations raised in the two previous lawsuits.

A copy of Stiltner’s complaint follows:

The post Third former employee sues Mountain Comprehensive Care, claims firing for not submitting false bills appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — The prosecution in the Amber Spradlin murder case has refuted several claims made by a defense attorney in a court filing, including that a key prosecution witness was given immunity in exchange for his testimony.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Brent Turner filed a response to the request on Monday, saying Roy Kidd has not been offered any deal in exchange for testifying in the case.

Kidd accompanied Spradlin to Seasons Inn and later to the Arkansas Creek home of dentist Michael McKinney on June 17, 2023. The next morning, he discovered Spradlin’s body on a couch in McKinney’s home. She had been stabbed at least a dozen times in the head and neck.

McKinney’s son, M.K. McKinney, has been charged with her murder, while both McKinneys and family friend Josh Mullins are charged with evidence tampering. They have all pleaded not guilty.

In a motion filed April 30, M.K. McKinney’s attorney Steven Romines asked the judge to order Turner to disclose any agreements his office has with Kidd not to prosecute. The motion also makes other claims, such as that Kidd failed a lie detector test and later asserted his Fifth Amendment right to not speak to police.

But Turner says none of those things are true.

“[A]ll the facts alleged in the motion are totally irrelevant, as there has never been an agreement between the Commonwealth, Mr. Roy Kidd or his attorney not to prosecute Mr. Kidd,” Turner wrote. “In fact, Mr. Kidd voluntarily provided states and the polygraph test of his own free will and with the assistance of counsel.”

At a hearing in the case Monday, Romines said he would accept a filing from Turner that there is no agreement as a sufficient response.

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial Jan. 11, with the defendants due back in court Sept. 17 for a pretrial conference.

Copies of Romines’ motion and Turner’s response follow:

The post Turner says Amber Spradlin witness has not been offered a deal for his testimony appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

None of the threats turned out to be credible; investigation continues.

The post Police respond to threats at several area schools appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — In commemoration of National Police Officers Memorial Week, Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville will honor fallen troopers on Thursday, May 13.

Those to be honored include:

Trooper Jerome Scott Clifton, 30, passed away on Oct. 1, 1980, after being shot while attempting to arrest a shooting suspect in a domestic disturbance incident in Pike County. Trooper Clifton was assigned to Post 9 Pikeville and was a nine-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. He is buried at Davidson Memorial Gardens in Ivel in Floyd County. In honor of his service and sacrifice, the US 23 railroad bridge between Allen and Dwale has been designated the Trooper Jerome “Butch” Clifton Memorial Bridge.

Trooper Johnny Gordon Adkins Post 9, Pikeville, died as a result of injury suffered on November 19, 1995, while attempting to arrest a suspect in Martin County. He is buried at Saltwell Cemetery in Inez.

Trooper Jonathan Kyle Leonard, age 28, was involved in a two vehicle crash on US 119, in the community of Sidney in Pike County. Trooper Leonard was assigned to Post 9 Pikeville and had served with the Kentucky State Police for three years. In honor of his service and sacrifice, Route 468 in Pike County was named the “Trooper Jonathan K. Leonard Highway” in June of 2008. This was by fiscal court resolution.

KSP Post 9 will do a wreath presentation at the burial site of each fallen Trooper. Friends, family and co-workers of the fallen Troopers are welcome to attend.

The post KSP Post 9 to honor fallen troopers next week appeared first on Mountain Top Media.