Crystal Rogers' family member charged with retaliating against a witness after murder trial

LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WDRB) -- A Nelson County man was indicted on a felony charge of retaliating against a participant in the legal process, specifically the Crystal Rogers murder trial, according to court records.

On July 21, 2025, just weeks after Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson were found guilty, Ronald William Bryan threatened Thomas "Ritchie" Riggs for allegedly providing false testimony during the trial, according to an Aug. 6 indictment and other court records.

Riggs was Houck's former realtor and testified Rogers feared Houck was going to move her out of their home. Riggs also testified Rogers accused Houck of cheating a few weeks before her disappearance.

Bryan is married to Rogers' grandmother and was in court almost every day of the murder trial supporting her family.

According to his arrest citation, Bryan "threatened physical force" against Riggs because he believed Riggs provided false testimony.

On Aug. 10, Bryan posted a $5,000 bond to get out of jail and will have a dusk until dawn curfew, must remain alcohol and drug free and not have any contact with Riggs.

Bryan is scheduled to next appear in court Aug. 21. He has pleaded not guilty.

On the WDRB Facebook page on Tuesday, Crystal Rogers' brother, Casey Rogers, posted in the comments for this story. His post said, "We do NOT and I mean do NOT as Crystals family have anything at all to do with this. We do NOT support what Ronald Bryan done. This has nothing to do with Crystal Rogers family. We believe in our justice system and are supportive of the outcome of my sisters case. Thank you to all law enforcement and everyone that has testified in my sisters case."

On July 8, a Warren County Circuit Court jury found Houck and Joseph Lawson guilty in the 2015 murder of Crystal Rogers and recommended the maximum prison sentences: life in prison plus five years for Houck and 25 years for Lawson. Both would have to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.

The trial was moved out of Nelson County because of the massive amount of media coverage over the past decade.

The jury of six men and six women found Houck, 43, guilty of murder (principal or accomplice to the crime) and complicity tampering with physical evidence.

His co-defendant, 34-year-old Joseph Lawson, who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence, was found guilty on both charges as well. His father, Steve Lawson, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to 17 years in prison.

A final sentencing hearing for Houck and Joseph Lawson will be held Thursday, Aug. 21.

Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five from Nelson County, was last seen alive during the Fourth of July weekend in 2015 with her boyfriend, Houck. Days later, her car was found abandoned — still running — on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway. Her purse and other belongings were inside. Despite years of searching, she's never been found.

This story may be updated.

Brooks Houck owns 73 properties worth $13 million in Nelson County, records show

Steve Lawson sentenced to 17 years in prison for role in Crystal Rogers' murder

Brooks Houck, Crystal Rogers went to family farm 'to get away' the night she vanished