Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Announces Indictments of Three People in Connection with Adair County Arson

Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Special Prosecutions today announced the indictments and arrests in Columbia of a former Kentucky State Police Trooper and two of his relatives in connection with an arson in Adair County.

The indictments charge Donnie Richmond, 34, and his wife Tina Richmond, 28, and with second degree arson, insurance fraud, and perjury for events stemming from an intentionally set fire in June 2008. Tina Richmond’s brother Scottie Baird, 30, is charged with second degree arson, insurance fraud, and with being a persistent felon.

Second degree arson carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and insurance fraud carries a five-year maximum prison term.

The fire completely destroyed the log home under construction owned by Donnie and Tina Richmond.  At the time, Donnie Richmond was a trooper with the Kentucky State Police at the Columbia Post.

The matter was investigated by the Kentucky State Police, and the case is being handled by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Prosecutions at the request of Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright and the Kentucky State Police. Arraignment is set for November 10 in Adair Circuit Court.

An indictment is an accusation only. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.