WQXE News

Another Kentucky resident has been charged after a Pro-Trump mob stormed the United States Capitol building on January 6^th, this time an Elizabethtown man.

An affidavit filed on Sunday night charges Elizabethtown resident Michael Sparks with obstructing law enforcement, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds, as well as knowingly entering or remaining any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.

The charges stem from several tips received in the days following the events on Capitol Hill. The first tip, filed on January 7^th, alleges that Sparks had been one of the first to enter the Capitol Building. The first tipster described themselves as an acquaintance of Sparks and had overheard his plans to travel to Washington D.C.

The first tipster saw videos and pictures of the incident, identifying Sparks in several of them. One notable instance was the widely-circulated video showing a United States Capitol Police officer leading protesters up a staircase, away from the Senate chamber. Tipster 1 identified Sparks as one of the individuals shown in the video.

2 additional tips were sent in, with the third identifying Sparks in several images, including climbing into the Capitol Building through a shattered window and remaining in a connecting hallway.

Tipster 3 also sent various Facebook posts from Sparks’ account out of concern, in which he referenced the January 6^th rally at Ellipse Park, as well as a post claiming that Donald Trump would remain President for an additional term.

At this time, it is unclear if Sparks has been taken into custody by authorities.

Over 5,400 new cases of Covid-19 from over the weekend here in the Commonwealth. On saturday, officials announced 3,096 cases and 2,362 on Sunday. As of yesterday, the state’s positivity rate has decreased ever so slightly, now down to 11.4%. The state also reported 34 new virus related deaths Sunday afternoon. Local counties continued to add cases over the weekend. In Hardin county, 99 cases combined from this weekend. Meade county reported 30 cases, and LaRue county reported 10.

Two men were arrested in Elizabethtown Friday after a burglary. According to arrest citations, police investigated a home burglary on the 13th, in which the home owner advised that 3 handguns and some money were stolen. A day later, a man, later identified as Douglas Blanton, brought one of the handguns to a pawn shop where the burglary victim was employed. She contacted police, who detained Blanton. Another man, Kristopher Knick, was questioned by police regarding his involvement in the burglary. Further investigation revealed that Knick had given Blanton information on the residence in order to pay off a drug debts. Both men were arrested and charged with related burglary offenses, with Knick being hit with various drug related offenses. Both were lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.