According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron a Wayne County man has been arrested on felony charges after stealing and destroying items from a house he was renting.
The investigation into this incident was conducted by Deputy Valis Smedley, starting back in July when the complaint was made by the property owner. The Wayne County man was legally evicted from the property at that time. Deputy Smedley was provided with rental agreement with the man’s signature and a forged signature of another person, text messages and video evidence showing over $10, 250.00 of items being stolen from and approximately $4,000.00 in damages to the rental property.
This evidence resulted in Deputy Smedley obtaining a Wayne County District Court Complaint Warrant of Arrest for Hunter J. Ash of Monticello, KY. for the charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition – all others ($10,000.00 but less than $100,000.00), criminal mischief-residential rental property and theft of identity of another without consent. On August 17, 2025, with the assistance of Pulaski County Sheriff Office Deputy Noah Dishman, Ash was taken into custody in Pulaski County and then the arrest was transferred to Deputy Smedley.
Ash was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center on a $20,000.00 Cash Bond or 2 a $40,000.00 Property Bond.
The Wayne County Sheriff Office also arrested Riley C. Jones of Monticello, KY. Jones was arrested for assault-4th degree (minor injury).
Jones was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.