Kentucky State Police Post 9 Arrest Two Following Vehicle Pursuit in Johnson County

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (August 3, 2026) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 9 troopers arrested a Martin County man and a Johnson County man on multiple charges following a vehicle pursuit on Sunday.

On August 2, 2026, at approximately 10:49 a.m., a KSP sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado traveling on US 23 in the Paintsville community for displaying no visible registration plate and having excessive window tint. When the sergeant activated his emergency equipment, the driver failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued.

The pursuit continued onto KY 825, where troopers were able to disable the vehicle by utilizing a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver.

The driver, Christopher Mollette, and passenger, William Cantrell, were taken into custody without further incident. During the investigation, troopers located more than $1,000 worth of suspected stolen AT&T communication line inside the vehicle, along with tools believed to have been used to cut and remove the communication line.

Christopher Mollette was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and is currently charged with:

• Fleeing or Evading Police, First Degree
• Reckless Driving
• Criminal Mischief, First Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence, Second Offense
• Receiving Stolen Property
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Additional traffic-related offenses

William Cantrell was also lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and is currently charged with:

• Receiving Stolen Property
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Criminal Littering

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