Newly released documents detail inner workings of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon theft ring

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The ringleader of a Pappy Van Winkle bourbon theft ring was stashing bourbon barrels behind his Frankfort home, and police could smell it.

That information became public Thursday after court documents in the case were released.

Police recovered five barrels of bourbon behind the home of Gilbert "Toby" Curtsinger, the alleged ringleader.

In documents, they say they "could actually smell the bourbon" from where they were standing.

A tipster told authorities that Sean Searcy, a truck driver for Wild Turkey who was also indicted, helped supply the bourbon as he was on his route for work.

The tipster says he and Curtsinger would "meet up to take four-to-five barrels off the truck and hide them at Curtsinger's home."

Curtsinger also worked at the Buffalo Trace distillery, and a former supervisor told police that she once caught him trying to steal several cases of Pappy.

She says when she moved some Pappy that was hidden in the warehouse, Curtsinger "accosted her and demanded to know where she had moved the Pappy van Winkle."

One person involved in the ring also told police that when Curtsinger worked at Buffalo Trace, he "would sabotage someone's work in order to punish them for not helping him."

Nine people have been indicted in the theft ring.

On Wednesday, two people -- Shawn Ballard and Ronnie Hubbard -- pleaded guilty to lesser charges, and will testify against other defendants.

Franklin County's assistant commonwealth's attorney also says former Frankfort Police officer Mike Wells is expected to testify at trial and is not expected to be charged.

Wells recently resigned after being accused of being involved in the bourbon and steroid ring.

Documents state that he received several jugs of bourbon from Curtsinger, but claimed he never thought they were stolen.

He was also given a bottle of Pappy van Winkle from Curtsinger to allegedly donate to the Kentucky Tactical Officers Association, but according to documents, Wells claims another officer held onto it.

Wells told police that the Pappy was "asked for by the Frankfort Police Department via letterhead and was supposed to be given away at a conference to the KTOA" and that "the bottle was signed by the master distiller and given to Rob Richardson of the Frankfort Police Department.

Wells went on to claim that Richardson replied "This is pretty nice. I think I will keep it for my collection."

Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Abrams tells WDRB that this isn't true, and that Major Richardson never kept anything meant for a fundraiser.

He tells WDRB that Richardson says he has never owned a bottle of Pappy van Winkle.

As for the defendants in this case, they are expected to appear in court on May 22.