A Frankfort, Ky police officer has resigned over his connection to the Pappy Van Winkle heist ringleader Gilbert Thomas (Toby) Curtsinger. The police chief confirmed that officer Mike Wells a 10 year veteran and D.A.R.E. officer may have violated city policies and has resigned.
Evidence from search warrants say that one of the men in the case “had sold some whisky to some cops in Frankfort” and they mention a “Wells boy” by name. The investigation indicates that Wells purchased stolen Wild Turkey bourbon from Curtsinger.
According to the search warrants investigators report they found call logs on Curtsinger’s cell phone. The logs included calls with Mike Wells. Specifically, there were three calls on March 11. Those three calls took place during the time search warrants were being executed at Curtsinger’s home, the day the Wild Turky barrels were discovered. Apparently, it’s kind of hard to quickly move five 500 pound barrels of bourbon whisky in a hurry!
In addition, text messages with Mike Wells from Curtsinger’s phone detail an “anabolic steroid transaction” between the two were also included in the warrant.
Officer Wells has been cooperating with investigators and is not expected to be charged in the bourbon heist.
