Former Bullitt Co. chief deputy arrested for stealing, defacing firearm

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The 2017 indictment stems from Cottrell stealing drugs from the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office

August 14, 2023

A former Bullitt County Sheriff's Office chief deputy has again been arrested.

John Cottrell, 54, was charged with receiving stolen property (firearm) and possession of a defaced firearm. He was arrested Wednesday at UPS Worldport in Louisville.

In 2017, Cottrell was indicted on several charges, including theft of a legend drug, abuse of public truck, tampering with physical evidence, misapplication of entrusted property, and official misconduct.

The 2017 indictment stems from Cottrell stealing drugs from the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office evidence room.

He was also indicted in 2017 for being in possession of fake Bullitt County Sheriff's Office badges in June 2014 and March 2015. Investigators said he gave a badge to his girlfriend. She allegedly worked at "several places using the badge," according to WDRB.com.

She was not charged in the case.

Cottrell worked at the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office between 2011 and 2016 when he was fired for being "absent without leave," WDRB.com reports. Before working for the sheriff's office, Cottrell was an officer with the Pioneer Village Police Dept.