Find Johnson County Arrest Records
Johnson County is in eastern Kentucky with Paintsville as its county seat. The county has a population of about 22,098. Arrest records here are created by the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and local police agencies. Individuals arrested in the county are processed at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville. This regional facility serves Johnson County and several surrounding counties. Kentucky law classifies arrest records as public documents, and residents can request access through the appropriate agencies. This page covers the local offices that handle these records and explains the available lookup tools.
Big Sandy Regional Detention Center
The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center is at 904 3rd Street in Paintsville. Staff can be reached at (606) 297-5245. This is a regional facility that serves four counties in the Big Sandy area. All individuals arrested in Johnson County are processed here. Booking staff handle intake by photographing the person, recording identifying details, and entering charges into the facility's system. Bond amounts are added once set by the court.
Because this is a regional facility, the inmate population includes people arrested in neighboring counties as well. The detention center maintains booking records for each individual regardless of which county originated the arrest. Families seeking information about someone in custody should call the facility and specify the person's name and approximate arrest date.
Regional detention center information
Staff at the records office handle requests for booking documents and can confirm whether someone is currently in custody.
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office operates at 339 Main Street in Paintsville. Phone calls go to 606-789-3411. Deputies patrol the county, serve warrants, and respond to calls in unincorporated areas. When a deputy arrests someone, the resulting arrest record documents the suspect's identity, charges, and the circumstances of the arrest. These records become public once filed.
The sheriff's office also handles civil process and courthouse security. Warrant service is a regular part of operations. Outstanding warrants issued by the court are executed when deputies locate the named individuals. Each warrant arrest generates its own set of booking paperwork that is forwarded to the detention center along with the arrested person.
Bail Payment Scam Warning
Johnson County law enforcement has issued warnings about active bail payment scams in the area. Scammers contact family members and claim that a relative has been arrested. They demand immediate payment through Apple Pay, gift cards, or wire transfers. These requests are fraudulent. No legitimate law enforcement agency or court accepts bail payments through Apple Pay or gift cards.
If you receive such a call, do not send money. Hang up and contact the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center directly at (606) 297-5245 to verify whether your family member is actually in custody. You can also call the Johnson County Sheriff's Office at 606-789-3411 to report the scam attempt. Real bail payments go through the court system or the detention center's official processes only.
Johnson County Court Records
Johnson County court information
The Kentucky Court of Justice website lists contact information and office hours for Johnson County courts. Court records cover everything that happens after an arrest enters the judicial system. This includes arraignments, bond hearings, pretrial conferences, plea agreements, trials, and sentencing. Case files contain the original arrest information alongside all subsequent court filings and orders.
Court records and arrest records serve different purposes. An arrest record captures the moment someone is taken into custody. Court records follow the legal process from that point forward. Reviewing both types together gives a full picture of any criminal case. Staff at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Paintsville handle requests for court documents and can help locate specific case files.
Kentucky Arrest Records Database
The Kentucky Department of Corrections operates the KOOL (Kentucky Online Offender Lookup) database. This system tracks individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody. It includes offenders from all 120 Kentucky counties. Johnson County cases that result in felony convictions and state prison sentences appear in this system. KOOL displays conviction details, sentence information, and current facility assignments.
People held locally at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on pretrial status or short sentences do not appear in this system. Local inmates show up only in the regional facility's records. For current local custody information, contact the detention center directly.
Requesting Arrest Records
Johnson County agencies process records requests under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Under KRS 61.874, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Viewing records in person is typically free. Requests should be submitted in writing and include a clear description of the specific records sought. Agencies must respond within three business days of receiving a request.
Most arrest records and booking logs are available to the public. Certain exemptions apply under state law for records involving active investigations, juvenile cases, or specific privacy concerns. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the specific statutory basis for the denial in its written response.
Kentucky also allows expungement of eligible criminal records. Under KRS 431.078, qualifying individuals can petition the court to seal certain records from public view. The Circuit Court Clerk's office can provide information about eligibility criteria and the petition process. Expunged records no longer appear in public record searches.
Nearby Counties with Arrest Records
These counties neighbor Johnson County. Each maintains separate arrest records and detention facilities.