Jerry Lee Cooper
Multi-agency search gets underway
A search got underway early this week for two inmates who escaped from the Brown County Adult Detention Center on Sept. 15.
According to information provided by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, it was between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15 when inmates Jerry Lee Cooper, 48, of Dover, KY, and Roy Gene Butler, 51, of Aberdeen, damaged a security window to gain access to the sheriff’s office impound lot, and from there fled from the sheriff department facility.
A search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, aviation, and canine units got underway once it was found that the inmates had escaped the detention center.
Cooper was being held on charges that include attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault, and having weapons while under disability.
On May 1, Cooper was indicted on one count of attempted aggravated murder (first degree felony) with a firearm specification for allegedly attempting to cause the death of Kelly Applegate. Cooper was also indicted on one count of conspiracy (first degree felony), two counts of felonious assault (second degree felonies), one count of tampering with evidence (third degree felony), and one count of having weapons while under disability (third degree felony).
Butler was being held on charges that include trafficking in drugs and having weapons while under disability. On Aug. 21, Butler was indicted on two counts of having weapons while under disability (third degree felonies) after being indicted on four counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine, fourth degree felonies) by a Brown County grand jury on July 24.
Both will now face charges of escape.
If located, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office said, “Do not approach and contact local law enforcement immediately.”
Update: The Mason County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky reported around 10 a.m. on Sept. 16 that Butler has been taken into custody, and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Maysville Police Department, and Brown County Sheriff’s Office units were on scene in the area where Butler was found attempting to locate Cooper. Cooper was believed to be in the area of Dover, KY near the Mason County/Bracken County line.
Anyone with information concerning the possible location of Cooper is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Charles Ernst at (937) 378-4435 ext. 126.
