Trial underway for former Bullitt County sheriff accused of obstructing massive drug investigation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- He was once the most powerful police officer in Bullitt County, but Dave Greenwell is now fighting to stay out of prison.

Investigators say Greenwell told Bullitt County Special Deputy Chris Mattingly that his drug business was under surveillance and provided information that investigators had obtained under wire tapping.

Prosecutors call Greenwell a rogue sheriff who helped a drug dealer to distribute more than a ton of marijuana. Greenwell is accused of "arranging a secret meeting" and informing Mattingly that he was the subject of a narcotics investigation and giving him the names of potential witnesses.

Greenwell is charged with obstructing an investigation and helping Mattingly. He faces a minimum of ten years in prison, if convicted. The maximum sentence is life in prison.

The jury was seated Monday morning and opening statements began.

"The same thing I told them in the beginning, Jesus knows (what happened), and the 12 men and women, hopefully they'll know too by the end of the week," Greenwell said Monday.

The defense says Greenwell did nothing wrong and was playing "good cop" to get info on the Mattingly's that would help the investigation. Their argument is that Mattingly and his father, Leonard Mattingly, are not credible witnesses.

Prosecutors say Mattingly is out of prison after serving only three years after agreeing to testify against Greenwell in this trial. Defense Attorney Scott C. Cox says Mattingly was paid for his testimony in exchange for a reduced sentence.

"It's gonna be all right," Greenwell said. "The truth ... it'll be told in the courtroom, hopefully. As long as the truth is told, and there is people who hear it that believe it, it'll be fine."

Attorneys say the trial is expected to last through Thursday or Friday.

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