Two convicted in Park Service break ins

By: Greg Bird

Two McCreary County men will face lengthy jail terms after confessing to breaking in to government facilities and stealing property last fall.

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area released the details of the convictions of Andy L. Anderson and Jeremy E. Coffey who entered guilty pleas on the charges of stealing several thousands of dollars worth of property and subsequently pawning the items for cash.

Anderson, of Pine Knot, accepted a plea deal after confessing to the actions and was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 5 years of probation.

Coffey, of Whitley City, subsequently accepted a similar plea deal, agreeing to a 15-year sentence.

According to the press release both suspects had an extensive criminal history, which factored into the sentencing determination.

Coffey and Anderson were named in four separate indictments this past January charging them with burglary, theft and other charges for their involvement in a string of thefts from various government and public utility buildings.

They were accused of unlawfully entering a maintenance building and an apartment at Blue Heron on October 15, taking various items belonging to the Unites States Government and damaging the property.

The pair were also indicted for an October 21 incident where they broke into the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Barn, stealing several items and causing damage.

A third indictment, stemmed from a November 12 incident, where the two men broke in to a building owned by the Department of Transportation.

The pair was named in a fourth indictment charging them with five counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking over $500 but Less than $10,000 for an string of thefts on October 17, where the two men were accused of stealing various tools and supplies from various individuals, including copper wire from Kentucky Utilities.