Office of the Attorney General
Additional Vote Buying Charges Filed against Breathitt County Schools Superintendent

Attorney General Jack Conway, United States Attorney of the Eastern District, Kerry B. Harvey, and FBI Special Agent in Charge, Perrye Turner jointly announce additional charges against Breathitt County Schools Superintendent Arch Turner in connection with a vote buying conspiracy.

According to a superseding indictment returned yesterday, the 66-year-old Turner of Booneville, Ky. conspired with John L. Turner, also of Booneville, to buy votes in the May 2010 primary election. The new indictment also alleges that Arch Turner influenced another individual to commit perjury. Turner allegedly instructed this individual to falsely testify before a grand jury that he had no knowledge of buying votes.

Arch Turner was originally indicted on March 1, 2012 for conspiracy to buy votes in the fall 2010 election in Breathitt County. He also was charged with obstructing justice and making false statements to a federal agent. John Turner was not charged in the original indictment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Attorney General's Office and the FBI. The Indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Taylor and trial attorney Brian Lichter with the Public Integrity Section of the United States Department of Justice.

The defendants' appearances before the United States District Court have not yet been set. If convicted, Arch Turner faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and John L.Turner faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.

A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed until and unless proven guilty.