Michigan men charged with stealing property from tornado-damaged Kentucky homes, vehicles
UPDATE: Brandon Ransbottom was sentenced in June 2022 to five years in prison on the firearm-related charges, and Sevon Gowen was sentenced in April 2022 to two years and one day in prison on the promoting contraband and meth possession charges, according to court records. Mitchell and Jesse Stanton had failure to appear warrants issued for them on Jan. 24, 2022, according to court records, which do not indicate that law enforcement officers have found either man since that date.
The original story from December 2021 is below.
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Kentucky Attorney General Daniel and police in the Caldwell County community of Princeton announced Friday the arrests of Michigan men who allegedly stole property from tornado-damaged residences and vehicles.
Police in Bowling Green also arrested at least two local men accused of looting following the devastating tornadoes that are now the deadliest in Kentucky history, according to a department spokesman.
And later Friday, Cameron said his office was aware of six suspects arrested in connection with stealing damaged vehicles, copper and other items from storm-impacted areas of Graves and Calloway counties.
Detectives with the attorney general's Department of Criminal Investigations on Thursday were assisting the Princeton Police "with needs arising from the tornadoes and storms," a news release from Cameron's office said.
"The detectives noticed four male subjects and approached them for questioning," the release said. "The questioning revealed that the subjects had taken property from tornado-damaged vehicles and residences."
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Mitchell E. Stanton, 30, and Jesse H. Stanton, 29, brothers from Coldwater, Michigan, were charged with possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property, according to Cameron's office.
The two were released on their own recognizance ahead of a Monday arraignment hearing in Caldwell District Court, according to online court records.
Sevon E. Gowen, 25, of Sturgis, Michigan, was charged with possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and first-degree promoting contraband, per the attorney general.
Brandon L. Ransbottom, 27, of Bronson, Michigan, was charged with possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, possessing a handgun as a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.
Gowen and Ransbottom were each ordered held on $7,500 cash bonds ahead of their Monday arraignment hearings, per court records.
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The men were later appointed public defenders. The Stanton brothers were friends with Ransbottom, according to The Daily Reporter in Coldwater, with the relationship between all four men otherwise unspecified
Their hometowns are all in southern Michigan, with U.S. 12 connecting the three cities.
Gov. Andy Beshear had also referred to looting Thursday and Friday as he continued to visit storm-ravaged areas of the state.
"We cannot let it happen. To take advantage of somebody who has lost everything is beyond despicable," Beshear said. "And if we catch you, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Be a decent human being. Don't engage in those types of activities."
Sarah Ladd, Hayes Gardner and Don Reid with The Daily Reporter (Coldwater, Mich.) contributed to this story.
Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky tornado: Michigan men charged with looting in Princeton
