ASHLAND, KY – The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky is reporting that a Catlettsburg, KY, man, Jonathan Lee Smithers, 41, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to a federal kidnapping charge.
According to Smithers’ plea agreement, on May 1, 2022, Smithers physically assaulted a victim with whom he was in a romantic relationship. Then, under threat of force and using a firearm, Smithers made the victim accompany him to a store, where he brandished the weapon, assaulted her with the weapon, and confined her in the vehicle. Smithers then drove her to the Flatwoods area. After again confining her in the vehicle, Smithers stopped the vehicle and forced her to exit.
Thereafter, still armed, he forced her to accompany him on foot, requiring her to climb fences, trespass on private property, and traverse random routes around the area for several hours. She was eventually able to escape and hide from Smithers and law enforcement found her collapsed at a gas station. Smithers remained in the area on foot, was spotted coming out of the woods, and law enforcement responded.
Upon being approached by law enforcement, Smithers shot the responding officer in the throat. The officer survived life-threatening injuries.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Smithers faces a sentence of life imprisonment.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Col. Phillip Burnett, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police; Chief Todd Kelley, Ashland Police Department; Chief David Smith, Flatwoods Police Department; and Sheriff Matt Smith, Greenup County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, KSP, Ashland Police Department, Flatwoods Police Department, and the Greenup County Sherriff’s Office. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022:
The following information is from the Boyd County Detention Center https://www.boydcountyjail.com/
INMATE:
JONATHAN SMITHERS
Middle Name LEE
Age 41 Years
Booking Date 05/02/2022, 10:46:48
Hair Color RED/AUBURN
Eye Color BROWN
Height 67 inch(es) - [05 foot(ft) 7 inch(es)]
Weight 195.0
Race CAUCASIAN
Arresting Officer HARTSELL - Badge 400
Arresting Agency KSP
Arrest Date 05/02/2022, 07:23:00
Zip 41129
Inmate Class FEDERAL INMATE
Charge Details
- POSSESS MATTER PORTRAY SEXUAL PERFORMANCE BY MINOR U/1
- PROMOTING A MINOR (U/16)IN SEX PERFORMANCE
Charge Details
- BURGLARY, 3RD DEGREE 1CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2ND DEGREE 1
Direct Charge Details
- FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE, 1ST DEGREE (ON FOOT)
- SPEEDING 01 MPH OVER LIMIT
- POSS CONT SUB 1ST DEG, 1ST OFF (METHAMPHETAMINE
- POSS OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION OF HANDGUN BY CONVICTED FELON
- UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT - 1ST DEGREE
- POSSESS MATTER PORTRAY SEXUAL PERFORMANCE BY MINOR U/12
- ASSAULT, 2ND DEGREE - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- POSSESSION OF HANDGUN BY CONVICTED FELON
- MURDER - POLICE OFFICER
PREVIOUS CLAYCONEWS REPORT:
